Library staff provide services to assist library users from the UT Health Science Center and the community in finding and managing health sciences information resources efficiently. Circulation Desk staff are available during regular hours of operation to answer basic questions and help with locating items in the collection. Librarians at the Briscoe Library are on call Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. to provide assistance with in-depth consultations and one-on-one instruction in using databases and resources. Library staff in Laredo and at the Ramirez Library in Harlingen are available Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Librarians can also be reached by telephone, email and instant messaging.
About the Library
Library and Outreach Services
Library classes for August and September
Scan this code with your smartphone camera QR reader app to find library classes online.
The Libraries offer classes, consultations and other training to assist with the effective use of databases and research tools. All library classes are free and open to all. Register today to reserve your spot!
Schedule a Special Class
To schedule a special class or orientation for your department or group at other days/times, please contact the library at (210) 567-2450 or email AskaLibrarian@uthscsa.edu.
Integrating Library Research Skills into Academic Course Content
Faculty are encouraged to integrate library research skills into course content. Librarians are available to develop and teach classes that meet specific needs or are about a specific resource. To learn more or to schedule a class, contact Katie Prentice at prenticek@uthscsa.edu or call 210-567-6606.
To register for a class or to see complete class descriptions, visit the Attend a Library Class page.
Briscoe Library – San Antonio
- Using EBSCO CINAHL to Locate Nursing & Allied Health Information: August 9, 2012, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., LIB 2.011
- Library Basics: August 21, 2012, 11:00 a.m. – 12 noon, LIB 2.011
- Introduction to EndNote: August 22, 2012, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., LIB 2.011
- Google Scholar for Scientific and Clinical Literature Searches: August 28, 2012, 11:00 a.m. – 12 noon, LIB 2.011
- Introduction to PubMed: September 5, 2012, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., LIB 2.011
- Introduction to RefWorks: September 6, 2012, 11:00 a.m. – 12 noon, LIB 2.011
- Creating and Presenting a Poster Session: September 12, 2012, 11:00 a.m. – 12 noon, LIB 4.074
- Getting Started with Ovid Medline: September 17, 2012, 11:00 a.m. – 12 noon, LIB 2.011
Library Disaster Team
The Disaster Team Leader assumes a primary role in managing the disaster, working closely with the Executive Director of Libraries and other staff. The Executive Director of Libraries will ultimately be responsible for all actions and decisions, based on advice from the Disaster Team.
The Library Disaster Team includes:
Executive Director of Libraries………………………………………………………………………… Rajia Tobia
Disaster Team Leader……………………………………………………………………………… Jonquil Feldman
Collection Resources Head……………………………………………………………………………… John Weed
Office Manager and Human Resources Representative………………………………. Herlinda Howard
Evacuation Management Team Coordinator…………………………………………………………. Ken Wise
Systems/Automation Head……………………………………………………………………. Luke Rosenberger
Records Management and Special Collections Restoration Coordinator…………. Anne Comeaux
Photographers/Disaster Documentation Representatives………… Robert Zuniga & Walter Creech
UT Health Science Center Disaster Support:
Chief, UT Police……………………………………………………………………………………….. Michael Parks
Asst VP for Environmental Health and Safety………………………………………… Michael Charlton
Asst VP for Campus Operations, Facilities Management…………………………….. Darrell Maatsch
The Disaster Team will:
- Coordinate with emergency services (University Police, Facilities Management, Environmental Health and Safety) to determine when and where it is safe to enter the building.
- Prepare for recovery. Contact BMS Catastrophe (1-800-433-2940, 210-542-4180-cell).
- Once staff are allowed back into the building, assess the nature and extent of damage and take photographs to document the damage.
- Identify a disaster command post with necessary communication equipment, desks, and supplies for directing the recovery effort.
- Work with BMS Catastrophe to assemble pallets, cartons, book trucks, and work crews.
- Make salvage decisions and take action quickly because mold can start growing on wet materials within 48 hours.
For more details on handling specific emergencies, consult Procedures for Campus Emergency Situations.
Back to Disaster Plan
Library Divisions
Office of the Director
The Office of the Executive Director of Libraries, headed by Rajia Tobia, A.M.L.S., AHIP, Executive Director of Libraries, is responsible for overall planning, budget and personnel administration, building maintenance, staff development, and official communication with The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and external institutions and organizations.
Collection Resources
The Collection Resources division, led by John Weed, M.S.I.S., Head of Collection Resources, is responsible for print and online journal and book acquisitions, electronic resource licensing and management, consortium participation, cataloging, and binding.
Library and Outreach Services
The Library and Outreach Services division, led by Jonquil Feldman, MALS, AHIP, Director of Briscoe Library and Outreach Services, coordinates services to assist library users and the community in finding and managing health sciences information resources efficiently.
Access Services, headed by Chris Gaspard, MLIS, Head of Access Services and Interlibrary Loan, staffs the Circulation and Library Services Desks and keeps the library open 110 hours per week. Library users come to the Circulation Desk to register for borrowing privileges and off-campus access, check out or renew library materials, add money to their print or photocopy accounts, pay fines and fees for Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery services, and pick up passwords for use with guest computers. Access Services staff are responsible for reshelving library materials and generally ensuring an inviting environment in which to study and do research. The Document Delivery service provides copies of library-owned materials in print or electronic format. Interlibrary Loan staff obtain materials not available in the Library’s collection from other libraries and also loans or provides copies of materials in our collection to other libraries.
Education and Information Services, headed by Katie Prentice, MLIS, AHIP, Head of Educational Services, assists library users in finding and using resources more efficiently. On-Call librarians provide reference and research assistance in person, on the telephone, by email or through instant messaging. Support is provided for users of computer-based learning programs, digital scanners, and resources for hand-held mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. A fee-based computer search service is available for those who need the expertise of a librarian to compile a comprehensive search of the literature. Librarians provide a variety of workshops on resources including PubMed, OvidSP MEDLINE, EndNote, RefWorks, creating and presenting research posters, resources for mobile devices, professional applications of social media such as Facebook, and collaboration tools such as Google Docs. In addition to regularly scheduled classes in the library, workshops can be offered by request at all campus locations and tailored to a group’s needs. Individual consultations are also available by appointment.
Outreach Services, headed by Peg Seger, MA, MLIS, Head of Outreach Services, is anchored by an annual outreach subcontract with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine South Central Region (NN/LM SCR) and by the Circuit Librarian Health Information Network (CLHIN) program, begun in 1989. The NN/LM SCR outreach subcontract supports outreach activities such as participating in health fairs; providing instruction on using PubMed, Medline Plus, and other health related databases to health professionals and the lay public; and demonstrating tools for accessing health information at professional meetings and events. The community health information blog Staying Well Connected is also coordinated by Outreach Services.
The Library provides the following activities: participating in health fairs; providing instruction on using PubMed, Medline Plus, and other health related databases to health professionals and the lay public; and demonstrating tools for accessing health information at professional meetings and events. Staff offer accredited continuing education (CE) courses for nurses and pharmacists to provide skills to use databases and other information resources.
The CLHIN program provides information services to member hospitals and clinics in South Texas that have no other access to libraries or medical literature. Services include database searches on MEDLINE and other databases, document delivery and consultation on information management.
Click here to find out how you can contact library staff for assistance or to request a class or consultation.
Library Technology and Historical Collections
Library Technology and Historical Collections, led by Luke Rosenberger, M.L.I.S., manages the library’s computer systems, Web site, technical infrastructure, the Health Science Center’s Digital Archive, and the Libraries’ historical collection, programs, and services. Division staff also consult on issues related to scholarly communication.
The Special Collections section, led by Anne Comeaux, M.L.S., is responsible for the University Archives, the P.I. Nixon Medical Historical Library, and the UT Health Science Center’s records management program. The P.I. Nixon Medical Historical Library has nearly 5,000 books on the history of the health sciences. The records management program updates the Health Science Center Records Retention Schedule (RRS) and trains staff in records management practices. Records Management Representatives appointed in each department work with the library to protect vital records and to ensure the timely disposition of records based on the retention periods designated in the RRS.
The UTHSC Digital Archive, headed by the Digital Archive Team includes digital collections, historical materials from the P.I. Nixon Medical Historical Library, theses and dissertations from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and documents relating to the UT Health Science Center San Antonio. The records management program updates the Health Science Center Records Retention Schedule (RRS) and trains staff in records management practices.
The Web Team is responsible for design, development, and maintenance of all Health Science Center Libraries web sites, the staff intranet, and the web portions of the Digital Archive. The Web Team also offers usability consulting services to other departments on campus.
The Systems section, led by Eric Willman, M.S.I.S., is responsible for the library computer systems including library servers, software, hardware and peripherals for the public and staff, and for printing services. Library Systems staff install application software and maintain operating systems; assist library users with computer equipment and software; and are also responsible for the proper licensing of library software. Systems staff provide technical support to the public who are accessing library services from outside the library.
Library Policies
- Briscoe Library Classroom Guidelines
- Circulation Policies and Privileges
- UT Health Science Center Borrowers
- UT Health Science Center Distance Learning Students
- UT Health Science Center Alumni
- UT Health Science Center Retirees
- Health Professionals
- Courtesy Borrowers
- Faculty from Other Institutions
- Health Careers High School Students
- TexShare Borrowers
- University Health System Borrowers
- Computer Use Policy
- Confidentiality of Library User Records
- Disaster Plan
- Food and Drink Policy
- Information Resource Development Plan
- John P. Howe, MD III Conference Room Guidelines
- University Archives Policies
Library Technology: Luke Rosenberger
Office Phone: 210-567-2486
Emergency Contact Information is on the Staff Intranet (not publicly available).
Regular Duties related to Disaster Planning and Response
- Follows guidelines in the Business Continuity Plan
- Coordinates maintenance of temporary library Web site with access to key information resources to be hosted off-site
- Activates the temporary website as needed
Coordinates with UT Health Science Center Systems, Network and Operations (SNO) & Academic Technology Services (ATS) to:
- Develop backup plan to minimize loss of access to servers and resources
- Secure and reestablish computer network and systems
- Reestablish telephone connections
- Reestablish computer security system
Coordinates with Property Control and Facilities Management to:
- Remove damaged or destroyed equipment
- Identify appropriate means for disposal of destroyed equipment (there are EPA guidelines for disposal of many types of equipment including printers and photocopiers)
Works with Executive Director and Office Manager to:
- Replace destroyed equipment
- Identify key servers and equipment that should be restored first
Back to Library Disaster Team list.
Literature Search Service Request Form
UT Health Science Center librarians are available to conduct mediated, for-fee searches of a variety of databases, including some that are not available for self-searching. Charges for literature search services vary depending on user affiliation, preparation and search time, and database vendor charges.
Complete this form to request a search of library databases by a librarian. Once the form is submitted, you will be contacted by a librarian to discuss the search. Results generally include citations, abstracts (when available), and/or links to other relevant resources. If you have any questions about the literature search process, please contact Library Information Services at (210) 567-2450 or email askalibrarian@uthscsa.edu.
Costs – search fees are based on preparation and search time.
| Affiliate Status | Cost for first 30 minutes | Cost for each additional 15 minutes |
| UT Health Science Center affiliates (including clinical faculty) | $15.00 | $7.50 |
| Not affiliated with the Health Science Center | $25.00 | $12.50 |
Please note that mail ($2), fax ($2), and vendor database fees may apply.
If you have a preferred total cost limit (max cost), please specify it in the comments box near the end of the form. This will help the librarian better understand your preferences.
Mario E. Ramirez, M.D. Library
| Monday-Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. | 7:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | 1 p.m. – 11 p.m. |
See the Ramirez Library Holiday Schedule.
Address & Contact Information
2102 Treasure Hills Blvd
Harlingen, TX 78550 (map)
(956) 365-8850
rahclibrary@uthscsa.edu
About the Mario E. Ramirez, M.D. Library
It is the mission of the Mario E. Ramirez, M.D. Library to improve the quality of health care in the Lower Rio Grande Valley by connecting health professionals and patients to reliable health information. The Ramirez Library maintains an environment for research, study, and teaching for health professionals and the community and provides state-of-the-art services and collections.
The Library is named after Dr. Mario E. Ramirez a well-known physician in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and former University of Texas Regent who also served as Vice-President for South Texas Programs at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio from 1995 to 2007.
More About the Library
The mission of The Libraries is to advance the educational, research, clinical care, and community service programs of the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio by critically appraising, selecting and organizing health sciences information and by facilitating and maintaining access to these resources for the faculty, staff and students of the UT Health Science Center and for the South Texas community.
The Libraries include the Dolph Briscoe, Jr. Library, the Mario E. Ramirez, M.D. Library at the Regional Academic Health Center in Harlingen, the Laredo Regional Campus Library in Laredo, the Jesse H. Jones Comprehensive Research Library at the South Texas Research Park, and the P.I. Nixon Medical Historical Library on the 5th floor of the Briscoe Library.
Annual Reports
Services
Office Manager and Human Resources Representative: Herlinda Howard
Office Phone: 210-567-2407
Emergency Contact Information is on the Staff Intranet (not publicly available).
Regular Duties related to Disaster Planning
- Maintains and updates list of keys and card readers annually or as necessary
- Establishes and maintains an inventory of library possessions
- Maintains current list of all staff office phone numbers for updating the telephone tree
During and After a Disaster
- Contacts recovery vendors and services at the request of the disaster team or collections manager
- Tracks and coordinates expenditures
- Coordinates with Executive Director and Director of Library Services to authorize temporary staff assignments and workspaces if needed
- Coordinates payment for supplies and services needed
- Recruits volunteers and ensures they all sign a waiver form
- Arranges for food and drink for recovery workers as determined necessary
- Works with Robert Zuniga, Senior Clerk to update the inventory of library possessions as damaged items are discarded
- Maintains a list of possessions sent out for refurbishing, if applicable
- Works with Executive Director to submit insurance claims for Library
- Coordinates with Human Resources to assist any employee injured in the disaster or during recovery with workman’s compensation or insurance claims
- Enrolls the assistance of the Employee Assistance Program if necessary
Back to Library Disaster Team list.
