Library Collections
Members of the public may use library materials within the library. Learn more about check-out privileges.
Online catalog
Print collections and specific materials can be accessed using the library's online catalog. Searches can be limited by collection, type, author, title, subject or keyword.
- Books in the general collection are located on the third floor of the library across from the elevator.
- The Reference Collection is on the first floor of the library in front of the elevator and contains directories, dictionaries, indexes, and handbooks.
- Student dissertations and theses are located on the first floor of the library.
- The St. Jude Collection is located on the first floor of the library and contains classics of medicine.
- The Reserve Collection is shelved behind the Circulation Desk on the first floor of the library. It contains required materials for courses or clerkships including review texts, core texts, photocopied articles, and AV. Some materials are restricted to in-library use. Submission of materials for reserve is limited to faculty and staff.
- The Student Resource Collection (SRC) is located on the first floor of the library, next to the Circulation desk, and contains textbooks, study guides, and handbooks donated by students. Materials can be checked out by students for six weeks.
- The All of Us Collection includes equity, diversity, and inclusion medical and health materials purchased through the Southeastern Atlantic Region (SEA) All of Us Community Engagement Award, funded through the National Institute of Health All of Us Research Program. It is located on the first floor of the library.
- The Cultural Awareness Collection is located on the third floor and contains books, CDs, DVDs, and other multimedia materials. Books may be checked out for two weeks; AV materials may be checked out for one week.
- Print journal holdings are listed by title in the online catalog. Journals are shelved alphabetically by title and divided by floor by date of publication as follows:
- Journals dating from 1986 to the present are on the third floor.
- Journals published prior to 1986 are shelved on the fourth floor in compact shelving.
Note: Most current journals are received electronically only.
- Audiovisual and computer programs are also identified by title and subject in the online catalog. This material is shelved on the first floor. Media is shelved by media type. Audiovisual equipment may be checked out from the Circulation Desk.
- The Historical Collection is housed in the Dr. and Mrs. John S. Thiemeyer, Jr. Medical History and Reading Room on the fourth floor of the library. The Historical Collection is in large measure a gift from the Norfolk Academy of Medicine. There are more than 1,000 items in the collection. Many of the books were in the personal libraries of prominent Norfolk physicians, some dating as far back as the American Revolution. The collection is intended to serve as a working library for use by scholars and those interested in medical history. It is not intended to be an aggregation of precious, untouchable objects.
With support from the Friends of the Library, damaged books have been restored to useful life by rebinding and other types of repair.
The historical collection does not circulate and may be consulted by appointment only. Due to age, climate and acid paper, many books are quite delicate, and many are irreplaceable. To consult the collection please drop us an email at library@evms.edu.
A-Z eBooks & eJournals Collection
Electronic journals and eBooks in the collection can be searched using WorldCat.
Electronic Article Collection
The library subscribes to many subscription databases. Visit our database page to explore this collection of resources.
Discovery Service
Tying many of these diverse and unique collections together is WorldCat. This service is a great place to start but does not replace a nuanced specialized search. Our Clinical Medical Librarians can assist or provide advice.
Gifts to the collection
Gifts, in kind, of books, journals, and audiovisuals, are accepted on a limited basis. When gifts are delivered to the Circulation Desk, the donor will be asked to fill out a gift release form. The donor will receive a copy of the form. If desired, a letter of acknowledgment will be mailed.
Retention of gifts
The Library does not attempt to maintain a comprehensive collection of health sciences publishing through time. Our book collection is forward-looking. Superseded editions are systematically removed from the shelves. We welcome gifts of journal volumes or issues that will fill gaps in our holdings. With few exceptions, we will not add older materials to the collection.
Gifts are accepted with the proviso that material which is considered inappropriate for the collection may be used for exchange, sale or discard.
Appraisal
The IRS does not accept appraisal from library staff for tax purposes; therefore, the appraisal of a gift to the library is the responsibility of the donor.
Dedications
For gifts which will enter the collection, donors may specify a dedication message which will appear on a gift plate in the item and on the catalog record. Donors may specify the wording of a dedication on the gift release form.
Please call 757.446.5850 for questions about gifts.
Purchase Requests
Requests for purchase of books, journals or media for the library may be submitted in person at the Information Desk or emailed to library@evms.edu. Please provide as much information as possible.
All requests will be considered for purchase. The Library Collection Development Committee prioritizes requests to fit the collection and library budget.
Journal subscription requests represent a continuing expense for several years to come and are carefully reviewed before ordering. Decision criteria include:
- interlibrary loan activity
- number of potential readers
- accessibility of articles through indexes and databases
- frequency of citation in other journals