FY 20 Annual Report
The Health Sciences Library System
Resources
The current economic climate necessitates that HSLS build and manage our collections of resources in the most cost-effective way. Subscription costs continue to rise at rates far above general inflation. In response to the changing information needs of our diverse user population, HSLS carefully analyzes usage statistics, publication patterns, and other metrics to identify materials to be discontinued and new items to be added.
Online Collections
HSLS’s forward-thinking collection management process supports a robust online collection of e-journals, e-books, databases, specialized software, and a usage-driven collection of print materials. Library users have access to the following online collections:
8,700 unique health sciences e-journals
5,000 total e-books in the collection
1,500 new resources added to the collection in FY 20
122 databases/full-text information collections
Physical Collections
HSLS experienced growth in physical collections throughout FY 20. These resources residing in the library includes the current collection of newly published academic and medical titles, the leisure reading collection of popular fiction and nonfiction, and the special collection of rare books. Bound journals and monographs are held in offsite storage.
90,000 bound journal and monographs in offsite storage
1,581 current collection print books
The UPMC Collection
HSLS debuted the UPMC Health Sciences Digital Library as a portal to provide a high-quality interface to streamline discovery and use of licensed clinical and point-of-care e-resources. In FY 20, this portal offered access to:
Technology Help Desk
The Technology Help Desk offered a wide range of services in FY 20 including:
- Circulated technology equipment including Surface Pros, MacBooks, phone chargers, and headphones
- Provided technology for Falk Library’s conference rooms
- Offered training for classroom technology
- Provided specialized services for MolBio classes
Popular Items Circulated by the Technology Help Desk:
Power Outlets borrowed 1072 times
iPhone Chargers borrowed 515 times
Headphones borrowed 331 times
MacBook Chargers borrowed 263 times
Integrated Library Management Software
In FY 20, work began on a large-scale update of the University’s Integrated Library Management software to the Ex Libris Alma and Primo platforms. Working collaboratively with the University Library System and the Law Library, HSLS was actively involved in platform configurations, working groups, analytics and usability testing. This system, publicized as the New PittCat, debuted in July 2020.
