FAQ - Bioscience, Natural Resources & Public Health Library: FAQ

Q. Why is this 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 the faculty, staff, some student classrooms and study space will be located here.
• The overall budget and design of this new building did not allow space for a library.
• The current University Hall library location was designed as a temporary space many years ago, the facilities currently need many improvements to remain a library.
• 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: What is happening to the collection?  When will all the books be available in the Bioscience, Natural Resources & Public Health Library?

• The collections of the two libraries (Public Health Library and the Bioscience & Natural Resources) are being reviewed and merged into the “Bioscience, Natural Resources & Public Health Library”.
• The books will be in the Bioscience, Natural Resources & Public Health Library by Fall semester 2018; on the shelves in call number order and available for check out. This process will take a while, as you might imagine it is complicated.
• Course reserves are now located in BIOS, and will display in OskiCat.  
• If you do not find the item you are looking for please ask at the circulation desk, or use the REQUEST button.

Q. When will the Public Health librarians be available?  How do I speak to them if I need 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: I would like to donate books to the public health collection, who can I talk to?

• Refer to “Giving to the Library” web, www.lib.berkeley.edu/libraries/bioscience-library/bios-giving
• Susan Koskinen is the contact for all subjects. skoskine@berkeley.edu, 510-643-7662

Q: How do I place material on reserve for the Fall Semester? Nga has always helped me with this, what happened to Nga?

• Course reserves are located in the Bioscience, Natural Resources & Public Health Library.
• Links to forms and instructions. http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/libraries/bioscience-library/bios-reserves
• Michele Buchman is the Library contact for placing materials on course reserve or permanent reserve.

Q.  What is happening to the Library Staff?  All Public Health Library Staff will move to new positions on July 1.

• 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: What is happening with the naming? 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. 

Campus libraries:

• Bioscience & Natural Resources Library
• Optometry & Health Sciences Library