The Health Sciences Libraries are celebrating 2017 with a look back at the year’s most-read news stories. 

It has been a memorable year, highlighted by underwater exhibits, research sprints, blind dates with books, and new talent!

Thank you for a great 2017 – filled with customized information solutions from the Health Sciences Libraries.

Here’s to a fabulously busy 2018!

Featured Stories from 2017

Sarah Jane Brown joins the Bio-Medical Library as a Clinical Information Librarian
Sarah Jane Brown, MSc, began her work as a Clinical Information Librarian at the Bio-Medical Library this August. As a Clinical Information Librarian, Brown will support the patient care, clinical research, and educational needs of the Medical School.

‘Blind Date with a Book’ returns
Romance is in the air at the University of Minnesota Libraries! In celebration of Valentine’s Day, the Libraries wants to help you make that next meaningful connection…with a great book. For the third year the Libraries is hosting Blind Date With A Book, adding a dash of mystery to your next great literary romance.

Underwater exhibit – an EXCLUSIVE behind-the-scenes look
This September, the Wangensteen Historical Library’s new Underwater Exhibit will open to the public – exploring the intersection of humans, health, and science in watery spaces. Communications Intern A’Davian Smith sits down with curators Emily Beck and Lois Hendrickson to get a behind-the-scenes look as they walk through the process of creating this exhibit.

Mapping the lost waterways of the Twin Cities
The University of Minnesota’s Center for Sustainable Building Research worked closely with the University Libraries on a project to map the lost waterways of the Twin Cities. The project was one of seven that were part of Research Sprints, an intensive four-day, project-driven program that paired U of M faculty and researchers with teams of librarians and archivists.

Demonstrating the public impact of University of Minnesota research
A new service at the University Libraries widens the scope of impact metrics available to researchers and helps them see a more complete view of the impact of their work. “It’s a great feedback loop to know whether your research is reaching its intended audience,” says Lisa Harnack, an epidemiology professor in the U of M’s School of Public Health.

Libraries partner with research labs to support Electronic Lab Notebooks
Today’s lab is defined by big data, collaborative research, and digital information in a variety of formats. These elements combine to a create a need for new tools to document work. Read how Franklin Sayre, Pharmacy Librarian, has addressed this need by introducing Electronic Lab Notebooks to life sciences labs at the University of Minnesota.

Improving research through reproducibility
The ability to re-create research findings is core to the research process, though there is growing concern that many published findings may not be reproducible. The University of Minnesota Libraries addressed this issue by launching the reproducibility portal in an effort to help faculty and others on campus improve their research practices.

New Libraries makerspaces bring innovation to the stacks
Learn. Make. Innovate. These are fitting words to accompany the welcome sign for the new Makerspace at the Bio-Medical Library, joining the Breakerspace in Walter Library as the two library makerspace locations on campus. Makerspaces offer tools and community for individuals who what to tinker as they explore solutions to problems – big and small.

Bio-Medical Library prepares for updated entryway
This summer, the doors of the Bio-Medical Library will take on a brand new look as the library installs an updated entryway. This update will feature an accent wall that promotes library activities, a seating area for community gathering, and a floor-to-ceiling wall mural with images depicting current health sciences practice and iconic images from the history of medicine.

Libraries help you #GetThoseGrades with Stress Busters and 24/7 study
Feeling underwater? Decompress with the Stress Busters events at libraries across campus and #GetThoseGrades with extended hours – including 24/7 library access.