Overview of the Library
Accessibility
The Library is open 92.5 hours per week (Library hours & holiday schedule) to institutional affiliates. The Student Commons on the Ground Floor, and the Second Floor, are open 24 hours. Off-campus access to databases and other electronic resources is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to affiliates through the institution's virtual private network (VPN).
Alumni are welcome to visit the Library in person. Alumni also have access to DynaMed from EBSCO Health. Please contact the alumni group for more information.
Library aisles are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs. Provided there is sufficient library staff, assistance will be provided for retrieving materials for disabled visitors.
Library visitors agree to adhere to the Policies of the LSU Health Shreveport Library.
Personnel
All Library faculty possess accredited graduate degrees. Some Library faculty and staff have additional graduate degrees, post-graduate training, or credentials. Library faculty and staff answered over 3,800 questions in the academic year 2023. Library faculty are actively involved with LSU Health Shreveport committees, in addition to holding elected offices in state, regional, and national library associations. Two library faculty are past presidents of the Medical Library Association, and one is a Fellow of the Medical Library Association. Library faculty and staff participate in relevant continuing education activities. They also volunteer in the Shreveport-Bossier community.
Physical Space
The Library occupies over 30,461 square feet on three floors with seating for over 400 users. Seating includes tables, carrels, private study rooms, five small group teaching rooms, and 59 computer workstations.
Purpose
The LSU Health Sciences Library is the principal information resource for the faculty, staff, students, and other affiliates of the institution. The Library is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays for members of the public needing to conduct health research. Please contact the Library at 318-675-5445 for details on the access procedures for the public, as these have changed in consultation with University Police. Please note that all visitors to the Library are expected to adhere to the Library's Code of Conduct.
Resources
The Library provides access to 140 databases, over 10,000 electronic journals, and over 2,300 electronic books. The Library also has over 150,000 print volumes, including books and bound journal volumes. Both electronic and print holdings can be searched through the online catalog, and the electronic resources are also accessible via alphabetical lists on the Library's website.
Affiliated users may place interlibrary loan and document delivery requests online using the Clio system for materials not available in the Library's collection.
The Library is a member of the Network of the National Library of Medicine, Region 3, the Louisiana Library Association (LLA), the South Central Academic Medical Libraries (SCAMeL) consortium, the Louisiana Library Network (LOUIS), and the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL). The Library also maintains good working relationships with local public and school libraries.
Technology and Equipment
The computer lab in 1-417 has 29 computer workstations, the computer lab in 1-419 has 20 workstations, and each computer is equipped with Windows 10. Both labs have a projection system for teaching classes. A book scanner is available in one computer lab.
Each small group teaching room has a flat-screen monitor that can be connected to a laptop for group collaboration and demonstration.
Network connectivity for laptop and tablet computers, as well as other mobile devices, is provided through wireless networking and through wired Ethernet jacks located in public areas on all three floors.
Laptop desks are available for checkout at the Library front desk.
Disposable earplugs and a mobile device charging station are available on the first floor.
Adjustable standing desks are available.
Scanners are available throughout the Library. Scanning is free.
Purpose
The LSU Health Shreveport Health Sciences Library is the principal information resource for the faculty, staff, students, and other affiliates of the institution. While the Library is open to patients, visitors, and other members of the public, please note that all visitors to the Library are expected to adhere to the Library's Code of Conduct.