Howard University Health Sciences Library — Comprehensive Notes

Library Overview

Affiliation and access: Howard University Health Sciences Library welcome to all affiliated with Howard University (including alumni and those in different programs); access to services and resources is available both on campus and off campus.
Facilities: Four floors with seating for 600 people and 19 study rooms.
Event and testing spaces: Private event spaces available; testing center located on the Fourth Floor (for exams).
Dedication reference: Lewis Stokes — the first African American congressman from Ohio, who dedicated his professional life to combating health care disparities.
Opening date and staff: Library opened on 02/2001; currently 9 staff members.
Staff and liaison: A staff member (described as a wonderful woman) is on the Third Floor; the speaker serves as the liaison to the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences and can assist with data information needs.
Sample on-site example: If Doctor Graham has a test, students can use the testing center.
Quiet study emphasis: The First Floor picture and the general emphasis on a quiet study environment; policy to address noise if needed.
Foundational address: Website is hsl.howard.edu, which links to all needed resources.

Sign-in required: Before using resources (on campus or off campus), sign in at hsl.howard.edu; click the sign-in link and enter your email address and password to link credentials.
Services and resources available remotely: The library provides extensive digital access and on-site services after signing in.

Electronic journals: 2{,}686
Ebooks: 4{,}541
Databases: 85
Electronic catalog: Available on the website to check availability of books and journals.
Research guides: Available to assist with research topics.
Class reserve information: If Dr. Graham places items on class reserve, they appear on the First Floor under the reserve section.
Interlibrary loan availability: If material is not in our collection, ILL is available via the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC) to access items from partner libraries.

First Floor: Contains class reserves and general access; photo shared of the First Floor.
Second Floor: Houses bound journals and study rooms.
Third Floor: Houses bound journals and the office of the liaison; staff office location mentioned.
Fourth Floor: Testing center; ETS has moved in and created a space for computers; testing center is here.
ETS presence: ETS moving in; new computer space available here, with comparable services to the corner of Bryant and Georgia.
Study rooms: Both small and large rooms available; room reservations can be made online or in person.

Small study rooms: Seats for 2 to 4 people; minimum of 2 people required; private rooms possible for boards studying (special case: boards examination).
Large study room: Seats up to 12 people.
Reservation window: Reserve study rooms up to 1 week in advance via the library website.

Check-out period: Books checked out for 3 weeks; return by the due date.
Reserve materials: Available for 3 hours; not all reserve materials may be available for longer periods.
Skeletons and skulls: Available as part of the collection for relevant courses.

Interlibrary loans: Available when material is not in our catalog or shelves; WRLC partners used to obtain items from other libraries.
WRLC partner libraries: Includes American University and Catholic University (of America) and other WRLC member libraries.
Scholarly communication support: Assistance with publishing, identifying journals, and avoiding predatory journals; guidance on routes to publish and avoid journals that take money without delivering value.
Database guidance: Help navigating databases for research and publishing.

RefWorks: A citation management tool available from our database listing; helps store citations and generate reference pages (in the required style such as APA, MLA, etc.) for Works Cited or References lists.
Usage purpose: To simplify creating reference pages for papers, reducing manual formatting effort.

Books and materials: Some items may be available for boards-related study; special room arrangements may apply for board study.
General reference and instruction: Library staff can assist with literature reviews and citation needs.
Additional support: The library provides ongoing help with data information needs and locating sources for coursework.

Connection to health sciences education: The library serves students in the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences and broader health sciences programs.
Healthcare disparities context: Mentions notable figure Lewis Stokes who championed health equity, highlighting a mission alignment with health sciences education.
Real-world relevance: Access to digital resources, interlibrary loans, and scholarly tools supports both coursework and research that inform health outcomes.

Regular hours: 8 AM to 10 PM, Monday through Friday.
Weekend hours: 10 AM to 6 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
Holiday and break closures: The library closes during federal holidays and winter break; special hours announced in advance when applicable.
Sign-in reminders: Always sign in to access resources, linking credentials to the library portal.
Web navigation: Primary resources and links are hosted on hsl.howard.edu; site updates may reflect changes in hours or services.

Dr. Graham: Mentioned in context of testing and class-related needs.
The speaker: Acts as liaison to the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences; available to assist with data and information needs.
A noted staff member on the Third Floor: Identified as a helpful contact in the library.
Lewis Stokes: Historic figure highlighted for his work against health disparities.

Visit or sign in at hsl.howard.edu to access resources.
Use the First Floor for class reserves; check the catalog for holdings and availability.
Plan to reserve study spaces in advance (up to 1 week ahead).
If a needed item is unavailable, place an interlibrary loan request through WRLC.
Consider using RefWorks for citation management and easier bibliography creation.
Utilize staff assistance for literature reviews and scholarly publishing guidance.
Be mindful of library hours and holiday closures; check announcements for any special hours.