Redevelopment of Brownless Biomedical Library and MDHS Student Centre
The construction phase for the re-developed Brownless Biomedical Library/MDHS Student Centre has commenced and we are advised by Property and Campus Services that the scheduled completion date is 24 December, 2009. This means that the scheduled re-opening date of the library remains early February 2010.
Project scope and vision
Growing Esteem and the Melbourne Model have been developed in response to changes in learning and teaching styles as well as technological advances. In line with the Melbourne Model, the University’s 10-year Master Plan for the Parkville campus will create a small number of discipline-based precincts, each one distinct, reflecting the different ways in which cognate disciplines engage in research and learning. The physical environments are designed to realise the potential to foster a vibrant learning community in which students, academics, and professional staff share ideas and learn from each other. Within these precincts, student service points and social spaces will cluster around the Library, each contributing to creating a sense of cohort and community for the relevant discipline cluster.
The redevelopment of the Brownless Biomedical Library and MDHS Student Centre follows on from similar redevelopments of the ERC Library, Frank Tate Learning Centre, Science Student Centre and Engineering Learning Centre. Enabling access to the expertise of information professionals and scholarly works in both hard copy and digital formats, these outstanding environments support research requirements as well as independent and collaborative learning. An option of 24 hour access to technologically sophisticated learning spaces is also envisaged.
The new Brownless Biomedical Library and MDHS Student Centre will include:
- Books and journals
- Access to online resources
- Improved self-service facilities
- Improved student IT/study environments
- The MDHS Student Centre
- Displays of the existing Medical History Museum collection
- Dedicated space for research higher degree/honours students for quiet study and write-up
- A cafe
Library temporary closure from 26 June 2009 to re-open early February 2010
The Browness Biomedical Library is now temporarily closed to enable the construction of these new and improved facilities. The Library will re-open at the beginning of February 2010. For students undertaking supplementary assessment, high use books have been relocated to the Baillieu library.
The Library and MDHS regret the inconvenience to staff and students and are making every effort to arrange access to library materials and study spaces during this period. Alternative arrangements are listed below. Updated information will continue to be posted on the Biomedical library, MDHS and P&CS's websites and the Biomedical Library Blog. Users will also receive updates via email, the Student Portal, banners and notices.
Book collection
High use books
Textbooks on overnight loan or seven day loan have been transferred to the Baillieu library first floor for the period of the closure.
General collection
A collection of 10,000 books, including the most borrowed and newly purchased items, are now located in the Old Quad library space in the centre of campus. The library catalogue reflects the new location of these books. See the website for floorplan, location and hours of opening.
The remainder of the general collection, which includes the ST and Medical History collections, will not be available until the library reopens.
Book resources available during the closure
Electronic books
The University subscribes to a wide range of electronic books. These can be accessed through the Biomedical Electronic Books Showcase as well as via Supersearch (login required).
Requests from other branches
You can request to borrow items that are not located in libraries on the Parkville campus by placing a hold on the item through the library catalogue. You will be notified by email when the item is available to be collected from the library you nominated.
Bonus
If the book that you need is not held by the University of Melbourne Library, you can request it online from another BONUS+ participating university library. You will be notified by email when the item is available to be collected from the library you nominated. View Bonus+ tutorial.
CAVAL
CAVAL is a state-wide reciprocal borrowing scheme which enables staff and students to borrow from other participating tertiary institutions. CAVAL borrowing cards can be obtained from any of our library service desks.
Interlibrary loans
Interlibrary loans is a service for requesting items not held by University of Melbourne Libraries. This service is normally restricted to staff and graduate students engaged in research and teaching activities. While the Biomedical Library is undergoing redevelopment, undergraduate students are eligible to request items that have been identified in the library catalogue as currently unavailable due to building works (UniM Closed Storage). Requests can be made using the ILL book request form, forms do not require the signature of a lecturer or supervisor in this instance.
Request items from Monash University Library
Search the Monash University Library Catalogue. Request items using the Borrow from Monash Library web form. Items will be delivered to the Baillieu library for collection. (Available to graduates and staff only.)
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Find items at other Australian libraries
The National Library of Australia's Libraries Australia Search Service provides access to the national database of material held in Australian libraries. Search the database to see if an item you require is held locally in a public or university library. A CAVAL card (see above) may be required to borrow from another tertiary institution. Please contact the relevant library regarding their borrowing policy.
NOTE: For University of Melbourne staff and students, advanced searching is available through SuperSearch: Libraries Australia (login required). Click on the
icon and follow the instructions.
Item returns
Items can be returned to the Old Quad library during opening hours.
Journal collection
Journal resources available during the closure
Print journals
2009 issues of 150 current print subscriptions have been made available in the Old Quad library space (see the website for location and hours of opening).
The remainder of the print journal collection have been placed in storage while the site is closed.
Supersearch
Thousands of electronic journals subscribed to by the University of Melbourne Library are available electronically through SuperSearch.
Interlibrary loans
The Interlibrary loans service is normally restricted to staff and graduate students engaged in research and teaching activities. While the Biomedical Library is undergoing redevelopment, undergraduate students are eligible to request articles from journals that have been identified in the library catalogue as currently unavailable due to building works (UniM Closed Storage). Requests can be made using the ILL journal request form, forms do not require the signature of a lecturer or supervisor in this instance.
A selection of journal titles will be permanently located at the library store in Bundoora. See Biomedical Library journals relocation page.
Library services
Assistance at the Baillieu Library
Library inquiries can be made in person at the service desk on the ground floor of the Baillieu library. Biomedical library staff will be rostered on the Baillieu desk. Inquiries can also be made via the library Contact Us page.
Research consultations
Liaison library staff will continue to be available to conduct research consultations. Use the arrange a research consultation form to book a consultation.
Computer access
Access to computers will continue to be available in other library branches, including the ERC and the Baillieu library. Some computers will be relocated from the Biomedical library to the Baillieu library (including the Percy Baxter Learning Centre, Level 1) and the Old Quad library.
Increased access will be made available to 164 existing computers (subject to availability) through:
- Student Computer Resources Centre (Level 2, North Ground Floor Medical Building)
- W313 Computer Lab (Level 3, West Wing Medical Building)
- PBL rooms (Level 7, West Wing Medical Building)
- Hours of availability:
Study spaces
A number of existing study spaces will be available to students.
These include:
- Baillieu library including Percy Baxter Learning Centre, Level 1.
- ERC Level 3
- ERC Level 1 (open until 2am)
- Frank Tate (open until 2am)
- Study spaces are also available in all other library branches
Additional study spaces have been arranged for the period of the Biomedical library closure:
- PBL rooms (Level 7, West Wing Medical Building. Hours of availability)
- Old Quad library
Medical History Museum closure
The Medical History Museum will be closed during this period.
Feedback
We welcome your feedback.
For queries relating to library collections and services, please contact Lynne Horwood.
Queries about the project as a whole should be sent to Ted Sztefek (P&CS), or Helen Page (Library), or Kim Stevenson-McBride (MDHS)
Contact us
Contact your Liaison Librarian for further assistance:
BioMedical Librarian
Lynne Horwood
School of Medicine
Patrick Condron
Behavioural Science, Dentistry, Nursing and Social Work, Physiotherapy
Tania Celeste
Population Health, Rural Health, Botany, Genetics, Zoology
Eva Di Quinzio