Policies

General

Lost and Found
The library holds lost and found items at the service desk. If you lose something please contact us right away at 508-856-6099. After a couple of weeks we offer the item for free or discard it.

Library Collections

Borrowing
All details about borrowing from the library can be found at the Borrowing and Renewing Materials page.
Collection Development (PDF)
Information on how the library develops its collections of resources.
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. See our Gifts Policy for details.
Medical Equipment Loan
  • SOM students may borrow up to 1 of each of the following items at a time:
    • Stethoscope (5)
    • Otoscope/Ophthalmoscope Set (5)
    • Tuning Fork (5)
    • Blood Pressure Kit (2)
  • Bring your Student ID with library barcode to the Library Service Point (LSP)
  • Instruments must be returned to the LSP within 24-hours of check-out
  • Students are responsible for proper cleaning and care of the devices. Keep all pieces and instructions together in the casing provided. Clean instruments before and after use. Alcohol wipes are available at the LSP
  • Any loss or damage should be reported to library staff within 24-hours of check-out. Students are responsible for the cost of any damage or replacement. Students will lose borrowing privileges until instruments are returned or replaced.
  • By borrowing these items from the library, you are agreeing to comply with this policy, and you are taking responsibility for any loss/damage to the equipment.

Library Facilities

Temporary Policy Change, 08/03/2020; revised 11/27/2024
At this time the library is not open to members of the public except by appointment. Please use Ask-a-Librarian to make an appointment.

24/7 Access
  • UMass Chan/UMMHC ID access only to enter the library (24/7). At this time the library is not open to members of the public.
  • Exceptions for others will be made on a case-by-case basis. Exceptions will be valid for six months and can be renewed if appropriate. To apply for an exception, please have your department head complete this form on your behalf.
Closing

Temporary Policy Change, 08/03/2020; revised 10/14/2020; revised 7/28/2021; revised 9/20/2021; revised 1/4/2022; revised 10/31/2022; revised 6/16/2023; revised 6/21/2023; revised 9/29/2023; revised 1/5/2024; revised 11/27/2024
Library Service Desk will be staffed Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and Wednesday, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.; closed Saturday and Sunday.

  • Only those who have been given 24/7 Library access will be able to re-enter the Library once the doors have closed. UMass Chan students, residents, fellows and faculty automatically have this access. All other UMass Chan/UMMHC staff must request this access (see above).
  • If there is an emergency in the library call 911 immediately! The Campus Police will respond.
  • There will be a sign at the Library Service Point with phone numbers for Police and Operations.
  • Panic button pendants will be available at the Library Service Point for those who may be studying on the second and third floors. These alarms will notify the police station that someone in the Library needs help. If you are working in a group, please take one pendant for the group. Please return the pendant when you leave the Library.
  • A police officer will walk through the Library several times throughout the night.
  • For security reasons, please do not use the second and third floor restrooms after Library staff leave for the night.
  • For security reasons, PLEASE do not let anyone into the library you do not know. If they have a UMass Chan/UMMHC badge and it doesn’t work at the door, just direct them to Campus Police and the police will determine if they have permission to use the library after hours.
  • Please do not take materials out of the Library if staff are not there to check out the material.
  • Laptops will not be available when the Library is not staffed.
  • 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, and please clean up before you leave.
  • On exam nights, coffee will be available. Library staff will leave out supplies.
  • If you have any concerns or if your UMass Chan/UMMHC ID does not work at the front door, please contact Regina Raboin during normal library hours.

Date reviewed: 3/26/19

Food and Drink
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, and please clean up before you leave.
Group Study Room
The library provides nine private group study rooms, five of which are equipped with large monitors to facilitate group work. White boards are incorporated into the walls of these rooms. Use of the group study rooms is restricted to two or more people working together. The group study rooms are available to all on a first come, first served basis throughout the year.
Individual users are asked to use other library seating. Individual study carrels are available on the second and third floors, which are designated as quiet study areas. The carrels provide a quiet, private alternative to the first floor study tables.
Quiet
The library encourages group study on the first floor of the library. The second and third floors are reserved as quiet areas so that everyone may have access to a place to study with minimal distractions.
Cell phones are a necessary device for emergency calling. Please step outside the library to take everyday calls. Do not use the emergency doors in the back of the library as they will activate the fire alarm if opened.
Rare Book Room
Books in the Rare Book Room are accessible by appointment only. See the complete policy for details.
Study Carrel and Locker
Study carrels and lockers are located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Library. All SOM, GSN, and GSBS students are eligible to use the carrels and lockers.
Carrels can be reserved through a self-service room reservation system. Carrel keys do not circulate. More information about study carrel reservation policies.
The lockers circulate for one semester at a time and are distributed by checking out a key at the Library Service Point desk at the start of each semester. More information about locker distribution.
Unattended Children

Temporary Policy Change, 08/03/2020
At this time no outside visitors or members of the public are allowed in the Library.

The library provides an adult, unsupervised environment for the purpose of academic research and support of the UMass Chan curriculum. Our facility is open to the public, a situation which can present risks to children. Library staff cannot monitor or supervise children; therefore, the safety of unattended children cannot be guaranteed. Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or adult guardian at all times. This policy is not meant to exclude children from using the library for educational purposes. Rather, it is meant to underscore the importance of supervision for children in this public facility. If a child under 15 is left unattended in the library, staff will attempt to determine, through the child, where the parent is and then will contact the parent to retrieve the child. In those cases where the parent cannot be located, the UMass Chan Police Department will be called to assume responsibility for the unaccompanied child.

Services

Systematic Reviews (PDF)
The library has several librarians on staff that have been specifically trained in supporting the systematic review process.