Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reserve a study room?
No, the group study rooms are available to all on a first come, first served basis. Use of the study rooms is restricted to two or more people working together.
How can I access material located in the Rare Book Room?
Books in the Rare Book Room will be made accessible by appointment only, Monday – Friday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm, excluding holidays. For an appointment, please contact Kristine Reinhard at Kristine.Reinhard@umassmed.edu or Ellen More at Ellen.More@umassmed.edu at least 24 hours before desired visit. For details about the use of the Rare Book Room, see Use of Books from the RBR.
How can I reserve a study carrel?
The library provides study carrels for GSN/GEP, GSBS first year, and School of Medicine first- and second-year students to reserve on a semester basis. Our carrel program is based on a lottery system. With only 100 carrels available, we cannot accommodate every student. Watch your school email for information and instructions on the program.
See the Study Carrel Policy for more information.
How do I access journals published before 1978?
All pre-1978 journal holdings are housed outside the library. To request a journal/article that was published before 1978, fill out a call slip at the Library Service Point. Library staff fill offsite requests Monday through Friday and materials are usually available in the library on the following business day.
If you are coming from out of town, you should call ahead to the Library Service Point at 508-856-6099.
If you are coming from out of town, you should call ahead to the Library Service Point at 508-856-6099.
How do I get a library card (barcode)?
UMMS faculty, staff and students, UMMHC staff, other healthcare professionals, and the public can borrow materials from the Library. Borrowing privileges are dependant on your affiliation with UMMS (see "Eligibility for Library Privileges"). A library barcode is required for all borrowing services. Request a library barcode by filling out the appropriate form available at the Library Service Point.
How do I renew items that I've borrowed from the library?
You can renew material yourself via your library patron account. For detailed information, go to the Borrowing and Access Privileges page.
May I borrow journals and take them out of the library?
Although journals technically do not circulate, UMass staff, students, and faculty registered with the library may
take journals out of the library for two hours if necessary. A journal form must be completed and is available at the Library Service Point.
What is the late return policy for borrowed items?
As a courtesy to your colleagues, we ask that you return material by the due date. Although we do not charge fines, we do charge replacement fees for unreturned material. See the Borrowing and Access Privileges page for more information.
What is the loan period for books and other materials borrowed from the library?
Books are generally checked out for three weeks and audio-visual material for one week. Reserve material can be used in the library for three hours. For more information go to the Borrowing and Access Privileges page.
Does the library have a policy for accepting gifts?
The library accepts gifts of money, books, and non-print materials that will enhance the Library's collection and support curriculum, research, and clinical needs of our students, faculty, and staff.
Read our complete Gifts Policy.
How do I suggest the library purchase an item for its collection?
The library welcomes suggestions from UMMS/UMMHC faculty, staff, and students for materials to be acquired for the library's collection. To suggest a purchase, use the Request the Library Purchase an Item form.
How do I place course materials on reserve?
UMass Medical School faculty and instructors may place materials on reserve via the Course Reserves page.
May reserve material be taken out of the library?
Course reserve material must be used in the library. The loan period is 3 hours. See the Borrowing and Access Privileges page for more information.
Does the library offer a liaison program to departments?
The library offers representatives to several UMMS departments.
Does the library offer classes?
The library offers free classes for UMMS and UMMHC staff, students and faculty.
Does the library offer support or resources for grant writing?
The library has collected a number of resources to help you in writing a grant proposal.
Does the library provide support for BLS Vista?
- Students can email worcestersupport@umassonline.net, or call 1-888-301-6102.
- Faculty can get support for curriculum development on the Curriculum Support page.
How do I find dissertations?
UMMS Dissertations are available from this page. For further assistance, contact the Library Service Point at 508-856-6099 or email Library staff.
Where can I find information about copyright?
The library has gathered a number of resources to help you with issues of copyright. The information is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice. Specific questions may be directed to Barbara Ingrassia at 508-856-1041.
Where do I find "Searchable Databases"?
If you regularly used the "Searchable Databases" page on the old library website, you will be able to find all of these resources (and more) on the Research Tools & Resources page.
Can payments for library invoices/services be paid for in the library?
No, all payments must be received in the UMMS Bursar’s Office. Check or cash will be accepted. The Bursar’s office is located on the first floor of the school, S1-802. The office is open Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm. The toll free number is 877-210-2238. If the office is closed you may drop your payment through the slot in the Bursar’s door or mail it to Univ. of Mass. Medical School, Bursar’s Office, 55 Lake Ave. No., Worcester, MA 01655. Pre-addressed envelopes are available at the Library Service Point, but payments cannot be accepted by Library personnel in a sealed envelope or interoffice envelope addressed to the Bursar’s Office. Please be sure to include the full invoice reference number when making a payment. Please see the directions page for more detailed information.
Does the library have a lost and found?
We hold lost and found items at the Library Service Point. If you lose something please contact us right away. After a couple of weeks we offer the item for free or discard it.
May I bring food and drink into the library?
Food and drink are allowed in all areas of the library except the computer lab on the first floor. Please be sure your drinks have a cover when working at a computer.
May I use my cell phone in the library?
We consider the cell phone a necessary device for emergency calling. We would ask you to please step outside the library to take everyday calls. Please do not use the emergency doors in the back of the library as they will activate the fire alarm if opened.
Does the library charge for printing?
Yes, you will need to buy a copy card, which you can purchase from a vending machine on the first floor. One-sided, black and white printing on 8.5" x 11" paper is $.20/sheet. Double-sided printing is available at the rate of $.20/side or $.40/sheet.
Instructions for PC printing Instructions for Mac printing
Does the library produce a newsletter?
The library's periodic newsletter is called the SoutteReview.
Does the library produce an annual report?
Go to the library's Annual Reports page for annual reports beginning with fiscal year 2000.
Do I have to configure my browser software in any way to use the proxy service?
Your browser must be set to accept "cookies" (usually the default setting on most browsers). Check your browser preferences.
Do I have to log in to the proxy service every time I want to access resources?
Sessions will last for approximately thirty minutes and then you will be prompted to log in again. If you exit your browser or shutdown your computer at any time you will be required to log in again.
How can I access online journals from home?
Current faculty, staff and students of UMass Medical School are eligible for this service. Further information is available at the proxy service page.
How do I register for the proxy service?
If you are not a registered library user (or you are not certain) bring your identification badge to the Library Service Point and complete a registration form. You will be given a small barcode sticker on the back of your badge. You can then activate your library account yourself in minutes. Just follow these simple steps:
- Click on WorldCat Local from the library’s home page.
- Click on Sign In next to Your library account in the upper right.
- Click on Forgot Password.
- Enter your library barcode number (use an upper case D) in the User Name box.
- Click on Request Password.
- You will receive an email with a link. Follow this link to the page where you will input your new password.
- Enter your barcode number once again and choose, then confirm, a password of your choice (password must contain at least one number).
- Click Change Password. The process is now complete.
Your new password will allow you to access your library account immediately (to renew books or to determine what books you have checked out. If you want more details, the following tutorial (http://onlinetraining.umassmed.edu/proxy11/) will guide you through the steps. If you need additional assistance, please contact the staff at the Library Service Point at 508-856-6099.
How do I use the proxy service once I've registered?
From any off-campus location:
- Go to the library's web site at http://library.umassmed.edu
- If you select a resource that is restricted to on-campus use, the proxy sign-on screen will appear.
- Type your library barcode number, without spaces, from the back of your identification badge in the first box.
- Type your password in the second box.
- Click the Log In button.
You will then return to the resource you selected. Remember: on campus, you will not have to go through the login process.
What do I do if I encounter problems with the proxy service?
Contact the staff at the Library Service Point at 508-856-6099.
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