Collections

Locating Books and Journals

Library Search, provides access to the combined resources, print and online books and journals, of the Rowan University Libraries. Library Search is accessible via the Hope Brings Strength Health Sciences Library website.  Users can also renew eligible checked out items using Library Search or by calling the library at 856 566-6800 or email SOMcirculation@rowan.edu.

A specialized Medical E-book Collection search tool is also available through Library Search that helps medical researchers, clinicians, and medical students quickly locate and access the medical e-books titles available through Rowan University Libraries.

 

Circulation Policies

Patrons must present their own Rowan-Virtua SOM ID badge and be in good standing with Rowan University Libraries to borrow materials from the Hope Brings Strength Health Sciences Library in Stratford.  Except for items from the Board Review and Reserve Collections borrowers may have a maximum of 50 items checked out of the HSL at a time.

Borrowers assume responsibility for all their library materials and should not lend them to other persons. Borrowers are responsible for materials returned in a damaged or unusable condition, or items never returned. Library materials are the University’s property and should not be altered, including being written in/on, dog-eared, or damaged in any other way.

After returning a book, borrowers are not eligible to check out the same book again until 24 hours later unless an identical duplicate copy is available. Borrowing periods for loaned library materials are listed below:

 

Type Borrowing Period Renewal

Books

four weeks

one renewal

New Books

four weeks

No Renewal

Reserve (Course Textbooks)

7 Days (max. 2 items at a time)

No Renewal

 Journals  in Library use only  
Reference materials in Library use only  
Board Review materials four weeks (max. 2 items at a time) No renewal

It is a borrower’s responsibility to know when a borrowed item is due. Patrons with overdue items may be blocked from borrowing additional materials.

Items overdue by 90 days or more are considered lost. The Health Sciences Library does not charge fines for overdue materials; however, borrowers will be charged a replacement fee, plus a $25 processing fee, for lost, damaged, or long overdue items. Replacement fees are equivalent to the actual replacement cost of the item. Failure to return overdue materials and resolve outstanding fees may result in a diploma hold.

In addition, any fines or fees charged by a lending library for overdue, damaged, or lost interlibrary loan materials will be added to the user’s account.

Any borrower who repeatedly does not return items by their due date, is non-responsive to overdue notices, and/or who damages materials may have borrowing privileges temporarily or permanently blocked at the discretion of the Health Sciences Library staff.

Reserve Collection

The Health Sciences Library strives to make available online and in print books required and recommended by faculty for courses and clerkships provided faculty notify the library of additions, changes, and updates.  These books make up the Reserve Collection.  While the library has a print copy of many required and recommended books on reserve, we may not have print copies of all books recommended or required for a course or clerkship.       

A pilot project has begun for the Spring 2024 semester that has moved the print books in the Reserve Collection from behind the service desk to a table in front of the Health Sciences Library’s service desk.  Students can now directly access the books for use within the library and can also borrow Reserve Collection books for use outside of the library for 7 days.  Users may borrow a maximum of two items at a time. Library staff will be closely monitoring the print Reserve Collection for the Spring semester for loss and usage to determine whether the Reserve Collection will be permanently moved to an open stacks model.     

Guides listing required and recommended books and resources that support the Rowan-Virtua SOM curriculums with full text links, is available on the Hope Brings Strength Health Sciences Library's website.

Also Available for lending from the Service Desk:

Noice Canceling Headphones Sports Equipment
Book and Laptop Stands Laptop Projectors
Portable Whiteboards Laptops
Whiteboard markers and erasers Lenovo and Mac Laptop Chargers
Android and Iphone/Ipad power cords Computer Mice

Board Review Collections

Two items may be checked out at one time and can be borrowed for 28 days. To view what print board review book are avaible at the Health Sciences Library see the Print Board Review Collection page via Library Search. Check the Health Sciences Library's Board Review Guide to see online options. 

Donating Books and Other Items to the Library

Because medical information changes rapidly and is considered out-dated in only a few years the Health Sciences Library strongly discourages the donation of personal medical books and related materials. If you have books that you think the library would want please submit a written list detailing the title, author, and publication date of each book to the Health Sciences Llibrary Director before bringing the books to the Library. The list will be reviewed and you will be contacted if the library is able to accept the books.

Collection Policy

View the Rowan University Libraries Collection Policy.  Any suggestions or recommendations for additions to the Hope Brings Strenght Health Sciences Library's collections should be directed to Ask A Librarian.