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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can I use the Ehrman Medical Library? 
  2. Where is the library located? 
  3. What are the library hours? 
  4. How can I find out what materials you own? 
  5. How can I get connected to the Internet? 
  6. Can I have articles photocopied for me and sent to me? 
  7. Can I bring food into the library? 
  8. Can someone do a literature search for me? 
  9. Do any of the library photocopiers accept coins? 
  10. How do I get a card to use in photocopiers? 
  11. What newspapers or general magazines do you get? 
  12. Where do I go to ask a reference question? 
  13. Where are the books located? 
  14. Where are the journals located? 
  15. How can I tell what the full title of a journal is from an abbreviation? 
  16. You carry this journal, but I can't find the issue/volume I need. What can I do? 
  17. I came across an article that is very relevant to my research. The only problem is that it is in another language (French). What are the chances of subscribing to a translator service?  
  18. Where can I answer a page? 
  19. Where can I check my email? 
  20. Where can I browse the Internet? 
  21. Where are the journals older than 1985? 
  22. Where can I find a schedule of classes offered by the library? 
  23. How do I sign up for classes? 
  24. Where are the MEDLINE (and other) classes held? 
  25. What if I need a book or journal article that's not held in the Library? 
  26. What is the URL for the AMA Freida site which lists residency programs? 
  27. What is an E-Journal? 
  28. How does the library decide what e-journals to list? 
  29. How can I schedule the CCC?  
  30. I want to have articles in the library copied for me to pick up. What is the fee for that?

  1. Can I use the Ehrman Medical Library?

    New York University is a private university and is not open to the general public. To determine if you are eligible to use the Ehrman Medical Library, consult the Access Chart . Unaffiliated users may gain access by joining the Medical Information Source program. If you wish to speak to someone in person, please call our Information Desk at 263-5397 where a staff member will be glad to clarify our policies. Other health sciences or medical libraries open to the public include:
    New York Public Library -- Mid Manhattan Branch Tel. 212-340-0083
    New York Academy of Medicine Library Tel. 212-822-7321

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  2. Where is the library located?

    The Library is located at 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, on the Ground Floor of the Medical Sciences Building (MSB), New York University Medical Center. The Map of NYU Medical Center offers a detailed view of the area.

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  3. What are the library hours?

    Monday - Thursday: 8:30 A.M. -- 11:00 P.M.*
    Friday: 8:30 A.M. -- 9:00 P.M.
    Saturday: 10:00 A.M. -- 8:00 P.M.
    Sunday: 12:00 P.M. -- 11:00 P.M.*
    * Library is open from 11:00 P.M. until 8:30 A.M. with access restricted to NYU Medical Center ID holders ONLY. The Service Desk is not staffed at this time.
    Please see Library Hours for more detailed information and holiday schedules.

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  4. How can I find out what materials you own?

    MEDCat, the Library's Online Catalog, is the primary source for locating the Library's print, audiovisual, and online collections that support the School of Medicine curriculum and Medical Center activities. The catalog is searchable by AUTHOR, TITLE, SUBJECT, KEYWORD, JOURNAL TITLE, and CALL NUMBER.

    MEDCat does not include ALL of the online journals and books that are available to the NYU SOM/MC community however. Connections to other online resources available to the NYU SOM/MC community are available via the Library home page at library.med.nyu.edu under the heading “E-Resources” in the main navigation bar at the top of the page.

    5. If you have further questions about the Library's holdings, please call the Information Desk at (212) 263-5397 Monday - Saturday 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. You may also call the Circulation Department at 263-5395 Monday - Friday 8:30 A.M. - 11:00 P.M., on Saturday 10:00 AM - 8:00 P.M. and on Sunday 12:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M.

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  5. How can I get connected to the Internet?

    This question can be answered in a number of ways.

    Offices within the School of Medicine and the Medical Center, including the Medical Library, are all networked for a direct connection to the Internet. This means that you can use the World Wide Web and your Email account from these networked computers. Residence Halls on campus are also wired for this network connection.

    Further instructions:
    Opening a PPP Account gives information for Students, House Staff and Full time Faculty, and Administrative members of the School of Medicine.
    New York Area Service Providers is a directory of commercial Internet providers.

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  6. Can I have articles photocopied for me and sent to me?

    Yes. Once you have the article information (article title, author, journal name, date, etc.), you may electronically request this service with the Document Delivery Form if you hold a valid NYULMC ID. Incomplete citations can be verified by Information Services staff by calling 263-5397 Monday - Friday, 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., and Saturday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Items not owned by the library will be processed as interlibrary loans and obtained for you at no charge. Items owned by the library will be photocopied at a rate of $5.00 per article. Call 263-5388 if you have questions or require additional information.

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  7. Can I bring food into the library?

    As a rule, food is not permitted in the library.

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  8. Can someone do a literature search for me?

    Yes. You may fill out the electronic search request form or call the Public Services Department at 263-5397 for further assistance.

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  9. Do any of the library photocopiers accept coins?

    No. All library photocopiers require a copy card. Call Document Delivery Services at 263-5388 with any questions or for more information on copying.

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  10. How do I get a card to use in photocopiers?

    You may purchase a copy card from the vending machine in the Main Reading Room - OR - from the Circulation Desk with an IOI.

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  11. What newspapers or general magazines do you get?

    The Student Council selects magazines to be kept on the library's Leisure Reading Shelf. This list must be approved by the Dean's Office. The Library orders, processes and maintains this collection, keeping the most current issue on the Leisure Reading Shelf, and holding the preceeding six months worth of issues in the Current Periodicals Room. Changes to this list must be received at the Library by October 15th of each year, in order to be renewed promptly.

    The following leisure titles are currently received:

    The Advocate
    Cosmopolitan
    Life Magazine
    Ms. Magazine
    National Geographic
    The New Republic
    New York Magazine
    The New York Times
    The New Yorker
    People Magazine
    Self Magazine
    Sports Illustrated
    Time Magazine
    U.S. News & World Report
    The Wall Street Journal

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  12. Where do I go to ask a reference question?

    Visit the Information Desk located in the Main Reading Room adjacent to the Circulation Desk. You may also call 263-5397 or ask your question using the Ask A Librarian page.

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  13. Where are the books located?

    The books are located on the lower level of the library (called the Stacks) directly below the Main Reading Room.

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  14. Where are the journals located?

    The most recent journal issues are shelved alphabetically in the Current Periodicals Room, adjacent to the Main Reading Room.

    Bound periodicals are shelved alphabetically on the lower level of the library, in the stacks area.

    For electronic journals, see Ehrman Library's E-Journals by Title pages.

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  15. How can I tell what the full title of a journal is from an abbreviation?
    16. The List of Journals Indexed in Index Medicus, a good source for abbreviations, is available online, as is the List of Serials Indexed for Online Users. For other journals, check Periodical Title Abbreviations. All three titles are available in print copy in the Reference collection in the Main Reading Room.

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  16. You carry this journal, but I can't find the issue. What can I do?

    First, refer to MEDCat, our online catalog, to see if the issue has been received or if it is at the bindery. Second, check the sorting area or the area around the photocopiers. Consult a library staff member if ththe issue still cannot be located.

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  17. I came across an article that is very relevant to my research. The only problem is that it is in another language (French). What are the chances of subscribing to a translator service?

    The Medical Center does not provide translation services, but a library faculty member would be happy to help you search for reputable translators. Translation costs would be at your expense.
    Technical or scientific translations can become fairly expensive. We can also help identify relevant articles about your topic that are published in English, and describe how to search for English-language articles that cite the French article in question. To arrange a consultation with a librarian, please call our Information Services line at 212-263-5397.

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  18. Where can I answer a page?

    If you are in the Main Reading Room, you may answer a page with the house phone located in the stairwell directly off the side of the Circulation Desk.If you are on the Stacks level, pages may be answered on the phone located on the east wall, just outside the Public Services Office.

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  19. Where can I check my Email?

    The library has four public computing areas where electronic mail may be checked. Computers are available in the Main Reading Room and on the Mezzanine level. Computers in the Coles teaching labs are for medical student use only.

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  20. Where can I browse the Internet?

    You may use computers located in either the Main Reading Room or the Mezzanine to connect to the Internet. Medical students also have 24 hour access to computers with the Internet browsers in the teaching labs on the second and third floors of Coles.

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  21. Where are the journals and books older than 2000?

    All journals and books dated before 2000 are kept at offsite storage facilities. If you require access to any Library-owned title in storage, please fill out the Interlibrary Loan Request Form and the material will be retrieved for you. If you have further questions regarding delivery of pre-2000 materials, contact Document Delivery Services at 263-5388.

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  22. Where can I find a schedule of classes offered by the library?

    The Library Class Schedule offers dates, times, descriptions and an online registration form.

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  23. How do I sign up for classes?

    To register for a class, please use the Calendar of library classes to choose the class time and date. A description of the class will pop-up from the link. Follow the "I would like to Register" link from this window. You may also call us at (212) 263-5397. Please leave the following information: your name, email address, NYU dept., phone number, name and date of the class.

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  24. Where are the MEDLINE (and other) classes held?

    Most classes are held in the CCC. Medline and Searching classes may be held in other locations. Registration is required. To register and for class location, call 263-5397.

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  25. What if I need a book or journal article that's not held in the Library?

    You can request an Interlibrary Loan by filling out the Document Request Form. Document Delivery Services will locate a library that holds the material and retrieve it for you. Please call DDS at 263-5388 for further instructions.

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  26. What is the URL for the AMA Freida site which lists residency programs?

    The FREIDA program, formerly available only on the Library PC's, is now available online at http://www.ama-assn.org/go/freida

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  27. What is an E-Journal?

    An e-journal, or electronic journal, is a periodical accessible via a computer network.
    The Ehrman Library considers an e-journal to be any periodical site that offers qualitative content, at minimum listing tables of contents, but preferably also offering abstracts and fulltext. For a complete list of all e-journals offered by Ehrman, consult
    E-Journals by Title.

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  28. How does the library decide what e-journals to list?

    The Ehrman Library selects electronic journals according to the following criteria:

    • germane to the clinical, teaching and research needs of NYULMC
    • are identifiably from authoritative sources
    • offer (at minimum) the journal's tables of contents
    • are updated in a timely manner

    Go to the E-Journals by Title page

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  29. How can I schedule the CCC?

    Any non-Ehrman Medical Library instructor, who wishes to reserve the CCC for a class, must fill in the online CCC Reservation Request Form. For questions regarding the classroom, please contact Public Services at 263-5395 or email: circ@library.med.nyu.edu. See also our CCC Policy and Procedures Statement.

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  30. I want to have articles in the library copied for me to pick up. What is the fee for that?
    31. This is called the Pull & Copy Service. The fee is $5.00 per article.

Last updated Tuesday, 28-Oct-2008 13:36:45 EDT
by the Medical Library Webteam. To contact us Click Here.		 NYU Med National Network of Libraries of Medicine NYU