Written by: Sophie Lanzone
You may be aware, but there are several other libraries at Mizzou besides Ellis Library, including the Health Science Library. As a Health Science major, I think it’s a wonderful thing that there is a specific library with a focus on my area, but I didn’t know it existed until after my first year of college.
The Health Sciences Library (HSL) opened in 1985 and was named after Dr. J. Otto Lottes, who was an orthopedic surgeon from St. Louis and an alumnus of Mizzou. This library is a resource available to all Mizzou students, faculty, and staff. However, the materials focus on supporting the School of Medicine, Sinclair School of Nursing, School of Health Professions, Health Management and Informatics, and MU Health Care.
The library offers many research tools such as books, articles, and databases, and offers research support through workshops. It is designed to help students find certain resources that pertain to medicine or healthcare. Similarly to Ellis, there are plenty of rooms to study, printers and scanners, computers, and electronic devices, in addition to document loan and delivery services. HSL also offers research tools such as self-paced EBM tutorials, mobile medical apps to help with studying, and specific resources for med and nursing students that Ellis does not.
Unfortunately, the Health Science Library is temporarily closed for renovation, but you can still get help and resources from it! Librarians and staff are working remotely, and there is a chat box you can use to talk with them. Libraries chat services are available 24/7, but Health Sciences Librarians can specifically be reached Monday-Friday from 9am to 4pm. You can also book a consultation with a librarian for resource help both online through Zoom and in-person. If you need any books from HSL, they will be sent to 24/7 pickup lockers either across the courtyard in the Medical Sciences Building or in Ellis Library.
More information about the Health Sciences Library can be found on their webpage, including links to different services as well as directions and maps to navigate around the library. You can also find pictures of progress of the renovations, and hopefully it will open again shortly!