FY 20 Annual Report
The Health Sciences Library System
About HSLS
Who We Are
The Health Sciences Library System (HSLS) at the University of Pittsburgh offers a wide array of research and information services, educational opportunities, and resources in print and electronic format to faculty, students, and researchers in the Schools of the Health Sciences.
Our Mission
Through our innovative services, high-quality resources, collaborative spaces, expertise, and partnerships, we advance learning, teaching, research, and service across the health sciences community at the University of Pittsburgh. While maintaining our foundational commitment to excellence, we respond to the changing health sciences and information environments.
Our Home
Falk Library is our physical home, with spaces and technology for study, learning, research, and collaboration.
Falk Library provides a number of study spaces, computers, and printing services; two service desks; instructional and meeting space; and resources on-hand in the library.
Our website serves as the primary gateway to our services and resources.
Our Team
Our team is composed of 31 faculty librarians and 29 paraprofessional staff, led by director Barbara Epstein.
Faculty librarians support instruction, research, and scholarship through innovative programs that adapt to the changing needs of an active research and learning community, including Liaisons Librarians, Data Services, Advanced Literature Searching, and Molecular Biology Information Services.
HSLS staff support operations through front-line service, on-site technology support, document delivery services, web and marketing development, digital resource advancement, and administrative support.
Faculty librarians and staff working in programs funded by the National Library of Medicine are integrated into HSLS as full University of Pittsburgh employees.
Health Sciences Library System Professional Development
At HSLS, we strive to recruit and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce that actively supports collaboration, lifelong learning, and service to the profession and the community.
HSLS New Hires
*Kelsey Cowles, MLIS, NNLM MAR Academic Coordinator
Mady Engel, Administrative Specialist
Stephen Gabrielson, MSLIS, Research and Instruction Librarian
Holly Hill, Program Manager for UPMC Services
Marissa Spade, Marketing and Web Specialist
Rachel Suppok, MLIS, Research and Instruction Librarian
*Tess Wilson, MFA, MLIS, NNLM MAR Community Engagement Coordinator
Francesca Yates, MLIS, Research and Instruction Librarian
HSLS Staff & Faculty Promotions
*Michael Balkenhol, MLIS, Faculty Librarian II
*Michelle Burda, MLS, Faculty Librarian III
Misti Kane, MLIS, Metadata and Access Librarian
Mary Lou Klem, PhD, MLIS, Assistant Director of Advanced Information Support and Engagement Initiatives
Rebekah Miller, MLIS, Faculty Librarian II
Julia Reese, Technology Integration Services Administrator
*Erin Seger, MPH, Faculty Librarian II
*Hannah Sinemus, MLIS, NWSO Web Experience Coordinator
Helenmary Sheridan, MLIS, Faculty Librarian II
*Tessa Zindren, NNLM MAR Program Manager
HSLS Staff & Faculty Retirements
Rebecca Abromitis, MLIS, Faculty Librarian Emeritus
James Fischerkeller, Library Specialist
Andrea Ketchum, MLIS, MSIS, Faculty Librarian Emeritus
Rhoda Ludin, Administrative Specialist
Charles Wessel, MLIS, Faculty Librarian Emeritus
*Funded by UG4 Cooperative Agreement with NLM
Marketing and Engagement Plan
FY 20 marked the start of HSLS’s new marketing and engagement plan. Led by the new marketing and web specialist, a multi-faceted approach has led to greater understanding of HSLS services and supports strong working relationships with the Office of University Communications, Pitt IT, and other university-wide information providers.
Targeted, high impact HSLS messaging are deployed across the six Schools of the Health Sciences via digital billboards, school-based newsletters, Pitt publications and calendars, and HSLS social media accounts. The HSLS Update digital newsletter and our weekly classes and events email were also reimaged and redesigned in FY 20. Since their launch, both of these communication products have shown high rates of engagement and increased traffic to our web site and class registration system.
