UC Berkeley Health Sciences Library

UC Berkeley’s library system is one of the best research collections in the country. The system consists of the Doe/Moffitt Libraries, the Bancroft Library, and approximately 18 subject specialty libraries serving academic disciplines in the sciences, social sciences and humanities. Additionally, there are a number of libraries which contain specialized research collections of unique materials associated with organized research units, academic departments, and professional schools.

The Fong Optometry & Health Sciences Library is one of eight science specialty libraries on the Berkeley campus. Its staff and services provide a full range of library services in support of the varied and interdisciplinary information needs of the students, faculty and staff of the UC Berkeley – UCSF Joint Medical Program. Close ties with other libraries on campus, especially the life sciences libraries, ensure that basic science and clinical research material in great depth and scope is available. The California Digital Library and the Fong Library provide access to numerous bibliographic databases and hundreds of electronic journals relevant to health and medical sciences. Most of these resources are also available to faculty, staff and students in their homes and offices. Internet access is available in most campus locations though the wireless network, AirBears.

The health sciences librarian provides instruction in information-seeking and management skills through class-integrated and drop-in workshops offered over the academic year; a strong emphasis is placed on thesis support. The health sciences librarian acquires books in the health and medical sciences in support of the curriculum and research needs of the JMP; this collection is housed in the Fong Library. The medical core collection, a non-circulating, up-to-date collection of medical books, created specifically to serve the JMP, is located in the Bioscience and Natural Resource Library.

Additional health and medical information resources are available in the Public Health Library in University Hall. Joint Medical Program students have full access to UCSF’s print and electronic library resources.