Skip to content

Category: Policies

Published on

The staff at Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library would like to extend a warm welcome to the incoming Medical Student class of 2027! Over the coming days and weeks, you will grow familiar with the George Washington University campus and begin your medical school coursework. To help you learn more about Himmelfarb Library and the services available to you as students, this article will serve as a primer for everything you should know about the library. 

Himmelfarb Library is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Reference services are available Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am-8:00 pm, Fridays from 8:00 am- 4:00 pm and Sundays from 4:00 pm- 8:00 pm. 

The library has a collection of physical and electronic media including books, audiovisual media, scholarly journals, and databases. There are several special collections within the library, including the MD Program: Required Books & Information Resources, Himmelfarb Library New Books, and Humanities & Health Collection. Please see our full list of special collections for access to these and other special collections.

Our physical collection is spread across the library’s four floors with most books shelved on the basement level. If you are unsure of an item’s location, a staff member at the circulation desk will assist you. The collection catalog is located on the homepage at himmelfarb.gwu.edu. The search box’s default setting is ‘Articles + Himmelfarb Catalog.’ and will display results within our collection. If you would like a more in-depth overview of the library search box, read Tips for Using Himmelfarb’s Library Search Box. 

Himmelfarb has several interactive pieces of technology in its collection. There are two 3D printers in the library and faculty, students, and staff members are able to submit print job requests online. There is no charge for most print requests and pricing will be clearly communicated before printing begins. Our 3D Printing at Himmelfarb guide contains more information about the 3D printing program and explains Himmelfarb’s 3D printing policies. 

The BodyViz virtual anatomy software suite located in Himmelfarb 305 is an interactive software that lets you examine and manipulate anatomical models. There are over 1,000 data sets loaded onto the BodyViz software. To reserve the BodyViz suite, please use the online reservation system. The library also has two Quest VR headsets available for checkout. Both headsets are loaded with the Medicalholodeck Medical Virtual Reality platform and may be used to explore anatomical models. To check out the VR headsets, visit the circulation desk. 

There are multiple ways to contact a librarian if you need assistance. The Ask A Librarian service is available through our website. You may send an instant message to a member of the reference staff via the chat feature on our homepage or call the desk at (202) 994-2962. You may also send an email to himmelfarb@gwu.edu or stop by the circulation desk to speak with someone from the Himmelfarb team. 

In addition to our electronic and physical media, the library maintains general and subject-specific research guides to help you complete your coursework or engage in the research process. Some guides that may be useful as you start your time at GWU are the AMA Citation Style, APA Citation Style, Borrow from Himmelfarb, Borrow from Other Libraries, Library Tutorials, and Study Design 101 guides. There are also subject-specific research guides that provide links to readings, tutorials, databases, journals, and other resources related to the specific health sciences subject. Visit our homepage or our dedicated Research Guides page to see the current list of research guides. 

Study spaces are located on each floor of the library. Some spaces, such as the tables located on the first floor, are on a first-come, first-served basis. The study rooms on the basement, 2nd and 3rd levels must be reserved. If you are using a room without a reservation, you may be asked to move to honor a pre-existing reservation. To reserve a study room, visit our online reservation system. To learn about the quiet level zones in the library, please see our Studying at Himmelfarb? Know Our Zones article. 

Follow Himmelfarb Library’s Facebook and Instagram accounts to learn more about future events or changes to our collection. We look forward to working with you during your time at the George Washington University.

Published on

Himmelfarb Library strives to offer study environments that meet the needs of all of our users. Sometimes space is needed to gather a group for study or collaboration. Sometimes a table with space to spread out is best and sometimes a cubicle in deep quiet is necessary for focus and intense study. You can find all these options in Himmelfarb Library.

First Floor = Group Study and Collaboration Zone

Photo of Himmelfarb Library first floor
Himmelfarb First Floor study tables

On the first floor you’ll find mostly open tables and some lounge areas. Because our main service desks are on this floor, the accepted noise level is quiet conversation. There are white boards on wheels for group activities and collaborations. There are also some public computer workstations as well as printers and scanners.

Second Floor = Quiet Study Zone

Photo of Himmelfarb Library second floor
Himmelfarb Second Floor open cubicles

The second floor is the deep quiet zone. Even whispering is discouraged. There are mostly open cubicles for individual study on this floor and some open tables if you need space to spread out. If you are listening to music with headphones, please be mindful that they are set to a level that only you can hear. The second floor also has a number of study rooms for study groups. These rooms should be booked in advance and activities in the study rooms should not disturb others on the second floor; please be mindful of the noise level in study rooms.

Third Floor = Mixed Use Zone

Photo of Himmelfarb Library third floor
Himmelfarb Third Floor open tables and closed cubicles

The third floor has segregated spaces with separate uses. The main zone when you step off the elevator is a quiet study area with a mix of open and closed cubicles and study tables. To the right is the Bloedorn Technology Center and computer classroom space. This area is glassed in and though quiet is encouraged, there are activities occurring there that require conversation including the Body Viz Workstation and anatomical models. You’ll also find the School of Medicine IT help desk in this area. The third floor also has study rooms that can be reserved in advance.

If you find our quiet zones are not being respected and would like our staff to remind users, please reach out to us via IM, email, or phone (202-994-2962) during Monday-Friday business hours, or reach out to the Circulation Desk staff during other hours (in person or phone listed above).

Published on

On August 25, 2022, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) published a memorandum that updated guidance on research funded by federal grants and called for the end of a 12-month embargo period. By 2025, published research that is funded by the federal government must be made available to the general public and key stakeholders and must no longer reside behind a paywall. Government agencies, academic libraries, and other research institutions are in the process of understanding this memo and updating their policies. Many institutions believe this new memo and guidance will radically change the academic publishing landscape. While this policy will likely advance a cultural shift towards open sciences, there are also likely new challenges related to the publication lifecycle that researchers are likely to encounter. In this post, we’ll provide a detailed explanation of the OSTP’s guidance, how this will impact researchers, and offer library resources to help prepare for the change. 

The memorandum entitled ‘Ensuring Free, Immediate, and Equitable Access to Federally Funded Research’ (also known as the Nelson memo), lists three recommendations for federal agencies:

  1. “Update their public access policies as soon as possible, and no later than December 31st, 2025, to make publications and their supporting data resulting from federally funded research publicly accessible without an embargo on their free and public release;
  2. Establish transparent procedures that ensure scientific and research integrity is maintained in public access policies; and, 
  3. Coordinate with OSTP to ensure equitable delivery of federally funded research results and data.” (Office of Science and Technology Policy, 2022, p. 1)

Dr. Alondra Nelson, Deputy Assistant to the President, explained later in the memo that “The insights of new and cutting-edge research stemming from the support of federal agencies should be immediately available–not just in moments of crisis, but in every moment. Not only to fight a pandemic, but to advance all areas of study, including urgent issues such as cancer, clean energy, economic disparities, and climate change” (Office of Science and Technology Policy, 2022, p. 2-3). Under the OSTP’s new guidance, researchers, journalists, members of the public, and other interested parties will be able to access new research as soon as it is published at no additional cost. This will provide the public with the opportunity to learn more about new innovations and experiments and it will allow other researchers to replicate or expand on existing research. 

The new guidance will allow for more collaboration as researchers combat complex topics such as climate change, future pandemics, and other global concerns. New research and data will be made freely available to the public, so researchers and institutions will need to address how to handle publication processing fees. While this new guidance won’t go into effect until 2025 and there are still questions about how specifically it will alter existing public access policies at government agencies like the NIH, the staff at Himmelfarb are here to assist researchers who may have questions about how the OSTP memo will impact their work. 

The Scholarly Communication Committee tutorial ‘How to include Article Processing Charges (APCs) in Funding Proposals’ is a great place to learn more about budgeting for article processing charges when creating a grant proposal. ‘Open Access and Your Research’ examines the different open access models and the consequences it has on your research. And if you’re unsure of how to find article processing charges, the tutorial ‘Locating Article Processing Charges (APCs)’ offers guidance on locating this information on a publisher’s website.  If you have specific questions about this new memo and would like to speak directly with a librarian,  please contact the library via phone, email, or chat. 

References:

Office of Science and Technology Policy. (2022). Ensuring Free, Immediate, and Equitable Access to Federally Funded Research. Author. 

Published on

Himmelfarb Library offers a variety of studying environments, from individual to group and collaborative spaces. Study space in the library is frequently in high demand. If you want a study room you’ll need to plan in advance. Here’s some tips for finding the right space.

Different floors = different noise levels

The first floor has mostly open, shared tables and allows quiet conversations. The areas around service desks on the first floor and third floor in the Bloedorn Technology Center (BTC) will also have activity and some associated noise. If you’re looking for a very quiet space for high concentration, we recommend going upstairs to the 2nd floor, or the 3rd floor outside the BTC, which are designated quiet zones.  

While in the library, electronic devices should be set to quiet mode and cell phone conversations should be taken outside or into a closed stairwell. If listening to music or other audio materials, wear headphones with sound set to a level that will not disturb those around you.

Third floor study options, including open and closed carrels and study tables

What kind of study spaces are on the different floors?

While the first floor has mostly tables and couches, there are some open carrels by the windows. The second floor has open table seating, cubicles, closed carrels, and study rooms, while the third floor has individual open and closed carrels, tables, and study rooms. Himmelfarb's 2nd floor is reserved for use by graduate students.  The B1 level (downstairs) also has some desk seating in the stacks and study rooms.  To see what is available where, check the library floor maps.

Want a study room? Reserve in advance!

All Himmelfarb Study rooms must be reserved prior to use and you can make reservations up to seven days in advance using the form here.  Most study rooms can accommodate up to 4 individuals. All are equipped with a large screen and white board. Check out markers and erasers at the first floor Circulation Desk.

Reservations cannot be made for more than 4 hours at a time. If you leave a room for more than 15 minutes, you may forfeit it. Occupants are strongly discouraged from leaving belongings unattended.

Study room at Himmelfarb Library

Study rooms allow for group collaboration, but groups should be mindful of not disturbing those in neighboring rooms.

Can we have a pizza in the study room?

Food allowed in Himmelfarb is limited to small quantities only and food deliveries are also not allowed. Snacks and drinks are permitted in study carrels. Drinks must be contained with a lid. Please be respectful of others and clean up after eating.

It’s so peaceful here and there are comfy couches - can I take a short nap?

We understand that long days and intense study can sometimes send our users into a nod. Unfortunately, GW University policy does not allow sleeping in public places on campus. And your fellow students may not appreciate your snores!

Published on
image of a tunnel made entirely of books
Photo by Lysander Yuen on Unsplash

Need to borrow a copy of Emergency Medicine PreTest for your upcoming clerkship? Has your professor assigned you materials on Course Reserve? Or would you just like to check out an iPhone/iPad charger? Himmelfarb Library’s Circulation Desk handles it all! We are located on the first floor, just beyond the security gate entrance, and are staffed during all open hours. Read on to learn about our basic loan periods and policies.

Circulating Books and DVDs/CDs

Books from our B1 level stacks, as well as from our Humanities and Healthy Living Collections on the main floor, circulate for 3 weeks. As long as no one has placed a hold request on an item currently checked out to you, you may renew materials twice for a maximum total loan period of 9 weeks. DVDs and audio CDs, housed at the 3rd floor’s Bloedorn Technology Center, carry the same loan rules as circulating books.

How to renew?

You may renew your item(s) in any of three ways:

  • Online: log into your library account with your GW NetID and password.
  • In person at the Circulation Desk
  • Over the phone: call (202) 994-2962

Overdue fines

We do not charge daily overdue fines for circulating books, DVDs, and audio CDs. At 41 days past the due date, however, we will assess overdue, item replacement, and processing fees totaling $120 for most borrowed items. 

Books and Equipment on Reserve

Reserve materials, which are kept behind the Circulation Desk, are available for hourly use. Books placed on Course Reserves by professors have a 3-hour loan period. Most equipment on our Reserves shelves, including HDMI cables, headphones, and iPhone/iPad chargers, have a 4-hour loan period.

May I renew Reserve materials?

Due to their high demand, we are unable to offer renewals of items on Reserve.

Overdue fines

Because of high demand, overdue fines for most Reserve items accrue at $1.00/hour, with no grace period.

For more information

Want to learn more about the kinds of items available to borrow and their loan periods/policies? Check out our Loan Periods and Fines guide. You are also welcome to contact our Circulation Desk staff in person or by phone for more information. Our phone number is (202) 994-2962.

Published on

After over a year of social distancing and virtual learning, we’re excited to see students, faculty and staff return to GWU's campus for in-person instruction! The university is committed to maintaining a safe environment for everyone and has released updated guidelines and requirements for in person instruction during the fall semester. As part of these new guidelines, the university has implemented a COVID-19 vaccination policy:

All students, faculty and staff members who wish to access any building on GW’s campus must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Once you’ve received your full dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you must update the university by uploading your vaccination card onto the medical portal. A link to the medical portal is located here. 

To upload your vaccination record to the portal, follow these short instructions:

  • Log onto the portal, enter your date of birth and you’ll be directed to the home page
  • On the left side menu, click ‘Medical Clearances’
  • Once you’ve reached the ‘Medical Clearances’ page, scroll until you see ‘Add COVID Vaccine Record’
  • Press ‘Update’ and upload a copy of your vaccination record
    • Note: Please upload the file as a JPEG. PDFs will not be accepted
  • Once you’re ready to upload, click the ‘Done’ button and your record is now in the portal!

The vaccination record must be uploaded by August 1st in order to receive clearance to access any GW buildings. 

If you have any questions about the vaccination requirement or the university’s strategies for maintaining a safe and clean environment in the summer and fall, visit GWU’s Coronavirus Response webpage or the Vaccine page. If you’re unsure of where to go to receive your vaccine, check with your state’s health department or use the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vaccine Finder. 

We look forward to seeing you in person in a few short weeks!

Published on

The American Library Association has declared April 4-10, 2021 National Library Week. This year’s theme is “Welcome to Your Library”.

The pandemic has challenged all kinds of libraries to adapt and find creative ways to reach and serve their users. Here at Himmelfarb we’ve made changes for both the small cohorts of students and staff who can still visit the physical library and those now using our services virtually only. We encourage you to continue to take advantage of these new adaptations!

Ross Hall Courtyard Pickup and Returns - You can schedule an appointment to both pick up and drop off Himmelfarb Library collection items and items borrowed through the Consortium Loan Service (CLS) via the Ross Hall Courtyard. This service is available to users who currently don’t have physical access to Himmelfarb. Learn the details here.

Shipping Service - For those who can’t come to Himmelfarb Library or the courtyard, there is limited shipping service to have items delivered or to return Himmelfarb collection or interlibrary loan items. Requesters are responsible for shipping costs and the service is not available to students out of town for a rotation or clerkship. Learn more here.

Extended Reserves Loans - All reserve books are currently available for a one week check out period. Find reserves supporting the MD program here and reserves supporting Public Health programs here.

Ask a Librarian - Got a question or a research need? Get help immediately through our chat services. When you chat Ask a Librarian you are always “speaking” with a member of Himmelfarb Library’s reference and instruction team!

As always, our electronic resources are available to you 24x7 via the library website. Frequently used resources are in the Popular Resources box at top left, including links to PubMed, DynaMed, and top journals. Use our Research Guides to find trusted resources on topics including citation style, predatory journals, boards preparation, cultural competency, and researcher services.

We look forward to welcoming many of you back to our physical facility as soon as we can safely re-open to all our users!

Published on

Would you like to borrow materials parcel of booksfrom Himmelfarb Library, but can’t access the building? Himmelfarb now offers Ross Hall Courtyard Pickup as well as a new Shipping service!

How will this work?  For items that you’d like to pick-up, you simply locate your item(s) via the Health Information @ Himmelfarb Catalog search;  HI@H catalog screenshotNOTE: select Himmelfarb Catalog from the drop-down menu in order to search physical books and media and login to Health Info @ Himmelfarb so you're offered the pick-up and shipping options.  Then click on the Delivery Request Formdelivery request form link screenshot link and complete the form. Wait for an email letting you know that your item is ready.  You can pick your item(s) up during our available hours; simply call just before you arrive in the Ross Hall Courtyard and we will bring your item(s) out to you.  Remember to bring your GWorld Card for pickup; please don't enter Ross Hall or use the 24th St. loading dock.

Shipping requests work similarly: locate your item(s) via the Health Information @ Himmelfarb Catalog search, then complete the Delivery Request form (soon to be linked right from Health Info @ Himmelfarb) and provide your mailing address.  We will send the item(s) out to you and they should arrive in 7 days.  When you return your item, you ship them back to Himmelfarb (USPS + insurance recommended).

To learn more about Courtyard Service and Shipping Service, consult our new Borrow from Himmelfarb guide which includes policies, renewals and holds information, and FAQs.

If you have questions, please contact the Circulation Desk at (202) 994-2962.

Published on

Crumpled paper and a paper airplane on a dark blue background
Photo by Matt Ridley on Unsplash

As Himmelfarb Library begins the transition into Our New Normal, you may have questions about where to access certain services and resources we provide. Here’s a guide on what you’ll find available online and in-person.

Online

All of our e-journals, e-databases, and e-books remain available online. We also provide our Documents2Go service entirely online, where you can request articles unavailable in our collection.

We offer instructions on downloading and installing our mobile apps to your device.

There is a host of information available on our Research Guides, everything from question banks to anatomy images, and much more!

Himmelfarb’s Reference team is also available online. Our chat service is monitored by reference staff 8:30AM-8PM EST Monday through Thursday and 8:30AM-5PM EST Friday. Have a question a little too involved for chat? We can also schedule individual meetings with a reference librarian via WebEx. Email us at himmelfarb@gwu.edu to start the process!

In-Person

In addition to our print collection available in our book stacks, you can also find our multimedia collection, audiovisual collection, and software resources on the third floor, in the Bloedorn Technology Center.

Our special collections, the Humanities & Health collection, Historical collection, and Healthy Living collection, are all accessible in-person.

Some of our older journals are kept in on-site storage as bound volumes. You can request a specific volume for perusal by following the instructions on our Borrowing and Requesting page.

Anatomy models are available in various places throughout the library. Our skeletal models and bone boxes are up on the third floor. Heart and brain models can be checked out at the Circulation desk.

If you have any questions about access as we move forward with Our New Normal, reach out to us at himmelfarb@gwu.edu or call the Circulation Desk at 202-994-2962.

Published on

In response to the University’s move to online classes and some student populations being off-campus during that time, Himmelfarb Library has extended due dates for print materials coming due March 14 through April 5th. Those materials are now due by end of day Monday, April 6th, 2020. Please contact the library’s circulation managers at 202-994-2962 or mlbcir@gwu.edu if you need to extend due dates beyond then or have other questions about borrowing physical materials.Himmelfarb Library Circulation Desk

We expect that Documents2Go interlibrary loan services for digital book chapters and articles will continue as normal. Delivery of some physical materials from other libraries may be delayed as they have closures or reductions in service. Contact document delivery staff at mlbdoc@gwu.edu or 202-994-2860 with any questions about borrowing materials from other libraries.

Himmelfarb Library will remain open 24/7 with service desks open regular hours until further notice.

 

Viewing Message: 1 of 1.
 Notice

This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. Visit GW’s Website Privacy Notice to learn more about how GW uses cookies.