Bioscience, Natural Resources & Public Health Library: FAQ

Q 1. How do I place material on reserve for the Fall Semester?

• Course reserves are located in the Bioscience, Natural Resources & Public Health Library.
• Instructions: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/libraries/bioscience-library/bios-reserves
• Please contact Michele Buchman, mbuchman@library.berkeley.edu

Q 2. What will happen to the collections?  When will the books be available in the Bioscience, Natural Resources & Public Health Library?

• The collections will be in the Bioscience, Natural Resources & Public Health Library by fall semester 2018 and available for check out.
• Course reserves are now located in BIOS, and will display in OskiCat.  

Q. 3. How do I use REQUEST in OskiCat for a book located in the Public Health collection?

• When you see the location in the item record, "Public Health Library Closed"  - use the REQUEST button near the top of the window, select a campus library location from the menu, where would like to pick up the book (after you receive an email notification).
• or you are can ask at the library circulation desks.

Q 4. I would like to donate books to the public health collection, who can I talk to?

• Please refer to “Giving to the Library”
• Please contact Susan Koskinen, skoskine@berkeley.edu, 510-643-7662

Q 1. Why is the merge happening?  What was the process for arriving at this decision?
The decision to merge the Bioscience & Natural Resources Library and the Public Health Library is based on a review of interdisciplinary ties, trends in scholarly resources and new directions in library services.

Factors:

• The School of Public Health (along with the Education and Psychology Departments) is moving to the new Berkeley Way West Building this summer, where faculty, staff, some student classrooms and study space will be located.
• The overall budget and design of this new building did not allow space for a library.
• The Public Health Library location in University Hall was designed as a temporary space many years ago; the facilities need many improvements.
• The Public Health Library provides research services for the State of California that will be discontinued on June 30, 2018.

Process: To reach this reconfiguration decision, there was collaboration of campus leadership, the University Librarian, the Dean's from the School of Public Health, College of Natural Resources, and the Division of Biological Sciences.  The Library issued a "Call for Public Comment":  and received feedback from departments and key campus stakeholders. See NEWS BLOG post.

Q 2. When will the Librarians be available?  How do I get research assistance?

• The Librarians will be available in the new location after July 1.
• Contact information is on the Bios website: www.lib.berkeley.edu/libraries/bioscience-library

For research assistance:

• Visit the Reference Desk in the Bioscience Library, summer hours are 1-3pm.
• Call Reference: 510-642-0456.
• EMAIL:bios@library.berkeley.edu.
• Make an appointment with a librarian. https://guides.lib.berkeley.edu/research_help

Q 3.  Where will the Library staff be located? 
The Life & Health Sciences Division Librarians and staff in the Bioscience, Natural Resources & Public Health Library collaborate across departments and disciplines. They work together to provide reference, instruction, and collection development services.  The new positions will start on July 1, services and support will continue.

• Debbie Jan, Optometry & Health Sciences Librarian.
• Michael Sholinbeck, Public Health and Joint Medical Program Librarian.
• Nga Tran, Access Services Division
• Sarah Bonnickson, Bioscience, Natural Resources & Public Health Library
• Marri Atienza, Interlibrary Borrowing Services.

Q 4. What will happen with the name? How will Sheldon Margen continue to be honored?

The name of the library is “Bioscience, Natural Resources & Public Health Library”, BIOS or Bioscience Library. The University Librarian and the Dean of the School of Public Health are working with the Margen family and Campus Administration to determine how to honor Sheldon Margen.