By RENAE BARGER and FRAN YARGER
Things are looking very different in the physical space of Falk Library of the Health Sciences. As part of the Scaife Hall West Wing construction project, the library will have exciting changes to unveil in the upcoming years. When the new West Wing opens in 2021, there will be a new entrance from Lothrop Street, convenient for all health sciences students; updated and expanded study and learning areas; and a new Medical Humanities collection.
Much of the summer was spent preparing the library space for the construction project. The bound journals and monographs are temporally housed at Pitt’s Thomas Boulevard storage facility and readily accessible via HSLS Document Delivery. Technology and study spaces have been redesigned and the new History of Medicine area is nearing completion.
As the West Wing project moves forward, the first floor quiet study carrels will be moving to the main part of the library. By November, the library space will be settled and remain relatively consistent over the next two years.
While the physical space is evolving, resources and services remain our top priority. Our main entry point is our website. Pitt users have seamless access to resources and services from any campus computer or remotely, using Pitt authentication. Our in-house classes, workshops, and events are open to the entire University community. This semester, we are offering several new sessions such as:
If you are visiting our library for a class or workshop, be sure to check the Graphic Medicine Exhibit on display through September, or the Virtual Reality equipment featuring 3D Organon VR Anatomy — a virtual reality anatomy atlas exploring bones, muscles and organs — and MedicalHolodeck, offering MRI- and CT-scans in 3D virtual reality.
Renae Barger is the associate director for Research and Instruction Services, and Fran Yarger is the associate director for Digital Library Services at Falk Library.