Director's Desk

As many of our readers are aware, both the Himmelfarb Library’s resources and the way our patrons use the Library itself are changing rapidly. Over the past year, Himmelfarb has moved toward an increasingly electronic collection readily accessible from both inside and outside the building. Use of these materials has been skyrocketing-- as have questions about utilizing these resources most effectively! Students working in small groups and interdisciplinary faculty working teams have become the norm for scholarly pursuits. Collaborative study space is in high demand. After considerable internal planning and site visits to academic health sciences libraries facing the same pressures, the Himmelfarb Library has decided to reconfigure its first floor in order to serve patron needs more effectively. During the summer months, the Himmelfarb Library will 1) combine the current Circulation Desk and Reference Desk into a consolidated services desk and 2) reconfigure study/computer space to enhance both quiet and group study. We will strive to accomplish these tasks as quickly as possible and with as little disruption as good planning and a willing moving crew will permit! So please bear with us. Benefits of the reconfiguration include the following:

• Increased seating capacity made available through the removal of three-double-sided stacks, the transfer of older print indexes to storage, and the consolidation of the collection along wall shelving
• A quiet reading area and a quiet computer work area carved out of the space freed up by the closure of the separate reference desk
• Work/collaborative zones outside of quiet areas to accommodate the increasing trend for students to work in small groups
• Improved services to patrons by providing one point of contact for all types of questions
• Higher level of service for patrons as all reference questions will be intercepted and handled by a librarian
• Improve coordination between Reference and Circulation Staff
Enhance the appearance of the Library through a less cluttered appearance.

Please feel free to contact me at 202-994-1826 or mlbaml@gwumc.edu should you have any questions. The Library staff looks forward to serving you in this enhanced service and study environment!