Updated 5/31/22

Today’s health sciences curriculum emphasizes the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration, and tomorrow’s healthcare professionals require a range of flexible spaces and access to expertise and resources purpose-built for integrated learning. Digital resources provide the majority of research and reference information, and in turn, libraries have long been evolving to adapt and meet the needs of the healthcare community. 

The ability to work effectively in teams, particularly in the healthcare setting, is the foundation of Interprofessional Education (IPE) and the design of both the new health sciences education building (HSEB), including a new UW Library; the Li Lu Library. Named after the donor who gave the first major philanthropic gift toward the new HSEB, the Li Lu Library will provide students with flexible, innovative and connected spaces for accessing information and working in teams. 

Currently in construction and scheduled to open in May 2022,  the new building will be one of the State’s first integrated training facilities, where students studying to become nurses, dentists, social workers, physicians, pharmacists and public health professionals train and learn together.

As health care evolves toward an interprofessional approach, training for this integrated model must also evolve. Such learning requires more than a classroom — it requires a learning ecosystem with robust library resources that will prepare students to communicate, work and lead in an integrated, collaborative environment.

The Li Lu Library is centrally located on the third floor, just steps away from lecture halls.  The new library is an extension of the  services provided through the existing Health Sciences Library. The location represents an intentional effort to integrate libraries into learning environments — meeting students where they are, and providing interactive and collaborative space to make connections and support active learning. The building’s focus is on modern active learning pedagogy, creating a space for gathering and interacting, enhanced by a design that enables high visibility from Pacific Avenue, revealing the inner activity and life from the street.

With more than 98% of health sciences library resources already online/digital, the Library prioritizes innovative study spaces over physical materials, facilitating the type of interactive study opportunities that students want and need in today’s academic setting. 

The UW Health Sciences Library (HSL) facilitates research and learning support at the local, regional, national and international level through its partnerships with IHME, UW Medical School’s WWAMI program, and as the virtual Regional Medical Library for Region 5 of the Network of the National Library of Medicine. Through these partnerships, UW Health Sciences Library facilitates distance-learning and access to critical clinical resources for students and clinicians alike in nine states and U.S. Territories throughout the region (WA, AK, OR, NV, CA, MT, WY, ID, HI), including many rural and underserved communities.  The new library is an extension of this work, making HSL support and resources more accessible to all health sciences students and faculty.  

“Knowing how to access and utilize the most current health science research and reference tools is an essential skill for any medical professional, and especially for those in resource-poor settings where the ability to get critical diagnostic information on-demand may be challenging,” says Tania Bardyn, Associate Dean for Health Sciences and Director, Network of the National Library of Medicine, Region 5.   “UW Health Sciences Library has always been integral to training UW health sciences students with best-in-class information literacy programming, tools and resources, including spaces for active learning and collaboration.  Through the new Li Lu Library, an extension of the UW Health Sciences Library, UW students and faculty will have even greater access to the spaces, tools and expertise that are essential to train tomorrow’s health science leaders.”

“UW Health Sciences Library has always been integral to training UW health sciences students with best-in-class information literacy programming, tools and resources, including spaces for active learning and collaboration.”

While the final design for the Library is still being developed, preliminary concepts feature a multi-faceted space with areas for group work, resource sharing and information gathering as well as space for self-reflection and connecting with other students before or after classes.  The library will also offer several tech-enabled spaces with multiple LCD screens and digital video equipment to support remote learning and presentations.  Adjacent to several classrooms and a food service area, the library offers convenient access to study, connect, learn and reflect. With a dedicated service desk staffed by Health Sciences staff, students from all health sciences disciplines will have access to resources, tools and support to build the cross-discipline collaboration skills required to succeed in today’s healthcare environment.

Initial planning for the new health sciences education building began in 2014. UW Health Sciences Library staff have been closely involved since the beginning, helping to inform the design for the library based on assessment data and faculty focus groups that indicated a clear need for interdisciplinary collaboration space and resources.  

The Washington State Legislature committed to provide $70 million toward the $100 million building project. The University is seeking an additional $30 million in private support from community members and foundations. 

To learn more about the Li Lu Library and/or to inquire about a tour of the building site, please contact:

• Julie Knorr, UW Project Manager
• Tania Bardyn, Associate Dean for Health Sciences Director, Network of the National Library of Medicine, Region 5
• Sheryl Stiefel, Assistant Dean of University Libraries for Advancement

About UW Health Sciences Library

The mission of the Health Sciences Library (HSL) at University of Washington (UW) is to advance scholarship, research, education and healthcare by anticipating information needs; providing essential resources and services; and facilitating learning for the greater health sciences community.  HSL staff support and collaborate with a wide set of users from inside and outside UW — students, faculty, researchers,  librarians, health professionals and community members throughout the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest. HSL supports all six health sciences schools at the university as well as the 25,000 employees of UW Medicine including 4,683 faculty across the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho (WWAMI) region and over 4,700 medical students and trainees. Learn more.

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In the summer of 2021, UW iSchool graduate students Dillon Baker and Taylor Healey Brooks partnered with UW Libraries Open Scholarship Commons, the Research Commons, and the Assessment and Planning department on their capstone project: Celebrating Black Faculty and Student Scholarship: A Framework for UW Libraries Programming and Outreach, generating new ideas for programming and outreach methods to support and celebrate Black scholarship and research at the University of Washington. This post is the first in a series of recurring features the Libraries plans to host.  For this inaugural feature, we are excited to talk with Maya Angela Smith, Associate Professor of French as well as the Interim Chair for the African Studies Program, Jackson School of International Studies. Smith’s scholarship broadly focuses on the intersection of racial and linguistic identity formations among marginalized groups in the African diaspora, particularly in the postcolonial francophone world such as in her book Senegal Abroad. She received her PHD in Romance Languages and Linguistics from the University of California, Berkeley in 2013, and has been teaching at UW since then.

What are some short-term and long-term goals you hope to achieve through your research and teaching? 

In general, I want to bring my expertise in language, race, and identity to a wider audience as well as engage with fields outside of my primary disciplines. In the short term, I am working on several public-facing projects that intersect with music studies. For instance, I am currently trying to publish an ethnographic memoir titled Reclaiming Venus, which chronicles the experience of Alvenia Bridges, a Black woman who made her mark behind-the-scenes in the white and male dominated music industry. As a companion piece, I have created an ArcGIS story map* walking tour to bring some of her stories and memorabilia alive. 

I am also writing a book for Duke University Press’s Singles Series about the French-language song “Ne Me Quitte Pas.” In addition to analyzing Jacques Brel’s masterpiece, this book will focus on Nina Simone’s version to explore the racialized and gendered dimensions of her performance, the musical and textual modifications of the song itself, and the affective experience of both performer and audience. My long-term career goals are to continue expanding how I convey knowledge both intellectually and creatively such as through children’s book writing.

What is one “little known” fact or interesting aspect of your work that you think people may find surprising or unexpected?

I try really hard to make my work accessible to everyone by writing in a way that is inviting, legible and personal. I use my own experiences and those of others to delve into larger societal issues. I think this helps students and readers connect better to the material.

How does the UW Community support your work/research? What has been most helpful? 

The UW Community has been supportive through funding opportunities, mentorship, and feedback. I have been fortunate to have been awarded various Simpson Center grants as well as funding through the Research Royalty Fund. Without their support, I would not have been able to complete some of my work since funding in the humanities is hard to come by. My colleagues across campus have also been great in reading drafts of fellowship applications, articles, book chapters, and everything in between. 

How does the UW Library support your research? What experience have you had working with Libraries to advance your research/teaching?

UW Library has been instrumental in supporting my research and teaching. I keep Interlibrary loan on their toes. I feel like I have them finding articles all the time. I invite librarian Deb Raftus regularly to my courses to help students with their research projects. She also creates research guides for them and training modules I can embed in Canvas. Librarian Verletta Kern was one of my collaborators during my 2021 Digital Humanities Summer Fellowship when I worked on my ArcGIS story map walking tour. She helped me navigate all the digital tools and resources available to UW students and faculty. She also assigned graduate student Hayley Park to my project, who did an amazing job constructing the map tour. Meanwhile, librarian Maryam Fakouri answered my questions about copyright issues. All the librarians are very approachable and always helpful.

What advice would you give to new faculty coming to campus for the first time this fall?

Do not hesitate to reach out to the UW Libraries for whatever your research and teaching needs may be. I have grown as a scholar because of them, and they make my life so much easier.

In fall quarter, Smith is teaching French 448: Cultures of Franco-America, which highlights the linguistic and cultural diversity of Francophone groups within North America (e.g., American Indigenous populations, Creole and Cajun cultures in Louisiana, African Americans in Interwar Paris) as well as how these groups were racially and socially constructed in these various contexts. She is also teaching a graduate seminar on Qualitative Research Methods where students design and implement a small-scale qualitative study based on a particular cultural or social issue by collecting different forms of qualitative data (field notes, interviews, participant observation), performing data analysis, and learning how to code data.

 Learn more about Smith’s work  

Representation matters.

Students, faculty, staff and community members from diverse backgrounds thrive when we create and maintain inclusive research, learning and working environments. As part of our strategic commitments, UW Libraries seeks to elevate the voices of historically underrepresented communities at UW and in the Pacific Northwest by partnering to create, preserve and increase access to culturally-relevant information resources. 

If you would like to submit/suggest ideas for a future spotlights highlighting the work of Black students and faculty, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].

Learn more about the ArcGIS platform available to all faculty, staff and students, and how UW Libraries can provide in-person help either through an appointment with the UW Libraries’ GIS staff or during the Suzzallo Library GIS Lab hours. Learn more.

Welcome back, Huskies!

It’s AWESOME to have students back in our spaces again!  We missed you! Thanks to all of our visitors who have been doing a great job keeping our Libraries safe (wearing your mask, not eating inside the Libraries, etc.) our staff, your fellow students and visitors appreciate it.  We are just getting started, so our hours will be limited to start, especially on weekends. Be sure to check hours and what to Know Before You Go. We will expand hours as staffing permits. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Services Updates

• Spaces for Zoom and online classes?: Bookmark  SCOUT to find study places across campus, OR see the Libraries study space pages for information on Library rooms and zoom-friendly spaces.  Tip: The Research Commons Red C room  can be reserved for interactive classes (talking  permitted).

• From the Open Scholarship Commons (OSC)
  • Media Services: This fall, media services (audio, visual, imaging production and tech support) will be integrated into the suite of services offered by the Open Scholarship Commons (OSC) and the Media Arcade that was formerly in Suzzallo Library will be closed as a staffed service point. OSC services, including media, will remain online-only fall quarter while we plan for a physical presence in the Suzzallo-Allen Libraries. Questions? ASK US or email [email protected]. 
  • New: Metadata Support , Research Impact services AND  Text Mining consultations are here!

• Stay informed: the best source for  Libraries status and operational changes is the Libraries COVID-19 update page.

News and Stories

Reflections on the US Constitution. Watch the Libraries annual Constitutional Read Aloud from October 8th with more than 90 community readers, and/or listen to the corresponding discussion to explore different perspectives on viewing this historical document through a modern context.  Learn More 

Open Access Week October 25-31: The theme of 2021 International Open Access Week is It Matters How We Open Knowledge: Building Structural Equity.  See how the work of the UW Libraries Open Scholarship Commons (OSC) and recent work from students and faculty reflect this theme and learn about new OSC programming designed to help you track, expand, and document the impact of your research. Learn more. 

Scholars’ Studio: Graduate Student Call for Proposals: Submit a proposal by October 29) | Virtual event on November 18–Open to all graduate students across UW tri-campus, Scholars’ Studio is an opportunity to talk about your research, practice, or pedagogy. Presentation format is a 5 minute “lightening talk” in front of a supportive, smart and interdisciplinary audience. Hosted in partnership with Core Programs—Office of Graduate Student Affairs in The Graduate School and the UW Libraries Research Commons. Learn more.

New Exhibits (in person!)

And Then She Said: Voices of Feminists Past and Present was sown from The Dead Feminists series, a collaboration between local artists Chandler O’Leary and Jessica Spring in the form of a collection of 31 broadsides elevating voices of women throughout history. Featuring quotes by historical feminists, the broadsides are also tied to current political and social issues. Each limited-edition broadside is letterpress printed from hand-drawn lettering and illustrations. The exhibit augments the series with items from the Libraries’ collections as well as reflections from library staff about what the artwork means to them and how it resonates with their own experiences.

Viewing is currently by appointment only. Use our Contact Us form to schedule a visit! Exhibit hours are Monday through Friday, 10am – 1pm. Please submit requests 5 business days in advance.

Pen & Ink Politics: Polarization and the pandemic is an exhibition  of editorial cartoons illustrating the different perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Presidential Election. Featuring the work of cartoonists from around the country and the world, its purpose is to emphasize the intensity of the discourse on these issues while providing a forum for open discussion. Venture through this self-guided exhibit and explore our timeline of cartoons starting with the emergence of a mysterious virus in January 2020 through the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Take a moment to leave your mark, sharing your reactions to the exhibit and the events of 2020.  Sponsored by and located in Government Publications, Maps, Microforms & Newspapers, University Libraries on the ground floor of Suzzallo Library.

Featured Resources, Collections 

Help UW Libraries choose new online resources: Fifty resources, covering topics from anthropology to World War I, are available to try out until June 30, 2022. At the end of the trial period, based partially on usage, three to five resources will be permanently added to the UW Libraries. So explore these trial resources and help the UW Libraries to select the resources YOU want most.

Workshops and Events

Recurring 

• • For health sciences students: Check out ongoing REDCap training events and curriculum from the Institute of Translational Health Sciences.
  • Digital Scholarship Drop-In Help Hours are back, every Thursday.
  • Open Writing Circles: virtual weekly meetings offering 90 minutes of quiet writing time and community with fellow writers from across campus, every Tuesday!

October Learning Workshops 

10/14 Inclusive Data Visualization Data visualization design “best practices” often do not prioritize (or outright reject) efforts to be inclusive. This workshop will suggest new “best practices” and provide an opportunity to speak with other attendees on this topic. Data visualization experience is not required.

10/19 Korea Research Methods: Quick Overview of Korean Resources including major electronic databases for e-journals, e-books, e-news, etc. If you are new to Korean resources or need a refresh on what’s available at UW for Korean studies, you will find this beginner’s session useful brought to you by the Tateuchi East Asia Library.

10/20- Advanced Pressbooks Publishing Webinar open to all users on hosted PressbooksEDU networks (including the University of Washington) and is designed for users who have some familiarity with Pressbooks and are ready to engage in more complex activities, like adding interactive elements or integrating Pressbooks with supported third-party tools. A more detailed description of webinar topics can be found in our guide: networkmanagerguide.pressbooks.com

10/26- ResearchWorks: An Introduction to UW Libraries’ Institutional Repository This workshop will explain what ResearchWorks is used for, how to deposit your materials, and how using ResearchWorks for manuscripts and data can meet publishing requirements by funders and publishers. A demonstration will be included, and there will be time for questions.

10/27- Introduction to Persistent Identifiers Learn about three tools the UW Libraries provides to help researchers provide persistent identification for publications, digital objects, and themselves including DataCite,Perma.cc,and ORCiD. 

10/28 Introduction to Open Science Framework (OSF): Online Collaboration, Organization and Sharing Learn about OSF, a tool that promotes open, centralized workflows by enabling capture of different aspects and products of the research lifecycle, including developing a research idea, designing a study, storing and analyzing collected data, and writing and publishing reports or papers. Learn more.

Community Events 

10/12 – Fear No Man: A conversation with author Mike Gastineau and Don Borst
Join us UW Libraries and UW Press  for a conversation with author Mike Gastineau and sports journalist Don Gorst as they discuss the newly published book: Fear No Man: Don James, the ’91 Huskies, and the Seven-Year Quest for a National Football Championship.In Fear No Man, Mike Gastineau recounts the riveting story of Don James and the national champion team he built. A brilliant examination of one of college football’s greatest coaches and teams, Fear No Man is the inspirational story of an improbable journey that led to one classic and unforgettable season.

10/28 – 2021 Artist Images: Juan Alonso-Rodríguz
Join us for an insightful conversation with artist Juan Alonso-Rodríguez.  A Cuban-born, self-taught artist whose transition from music to visual arts coincided with his move to Seattle in 1982, Juan is a former Seattle Arts Commissioner and served four years on the Public Art Advisory Committee for the City of Seattle. His work has been exhibited throughout the US, Canada and Latin America. This FREE, virtual discussion will explore the artist’s influences past and present, COVID-era impacts and perspective on the future. The discussion will be facilitated by Seattle Arts Commissioner, Vivian Phillips and UW Libraries’ Anne Jenner, with remarks from UW President, Ana Marie Cauce and the new dean of UW Libraries, Simon Neame. Sign up and learn more.

Save the Date

11/3 – First Wednesday Concert Series: UW Choral Groups. If you missed this week’s amazing performance, be sure to mark your calendars for the next UW Libraries and UW Music Choral Group lunch-time concert series on the first Wednesday of the month in the North Allen Library Lobby for a free concert! 

Don’t miss out on important Library news and updates:

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Sign up for our blog.

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Hello, Huskies! 

A message from our new dean, Simon Neame

“September 1st marked my very first day as the Dean of UW Libraries. I am so excited to start this new journey in Seattle, and I am energized by the amazing UW community that has already been so welcoming and supportive. While this year is again different than most, I know that all of the hard work and dedication of the Libraries’ staff throughout the pandemic has prepared us for a safe and successful fall quarter and reopening…” Read full message 

Services Updates

• Opening dates and fall hours for ALL Libraries are posted online. Before visiting us, please check the Library hours FIRST to plan accordingly.
  • Hours for all Libraries (especially on weekends) will be limited to start and will expand as staffing permits.

• Know Before You Go: Learn what to expect and how to prepare for your first visit back to the Libraries new services, policies and more.  Remember: Odegaard and Health Sciences Libraries will now require a valid Husky Card for entry.

• Curbside pick-up will close on 9/17.  Pick-up inside the building will resume on 9/22 when Suzzallo and Allen Libraries open.

Special Collections is launching a virtual reading room! In addition to in-person appointments, Special Collections is launching a virtual reading room starting 9/29 to allow users to view materials live with a Librarian on site using a special camera designed for remote consultations. Learn more/make an appointment.  

•  Research Commons update: During fall quarter, the Research Commons will remain a space for individual, quiet study with reservations required. Given the abundance of open study space across all Libraries, both in common areas and in dedicated rooms by reservation; and to provide options for those who need and would prefer a more predictable experience regarding distancing and distraction, the Research Commons will remain a space for individual quiet study, with all desks spaced 6 feet apart.  Rooms for interactive online classes/calls will also be available in this space. Thank you to all students who demonstrated excellence in maintaining health and safety standards in the Research Commons over the past year, proving that this model continues to work well in serving student needs for varied types of study space, especially during this unpredictable time.

• Media Arcade Transition: This drop-in audio/video makerspace within Suzzallo Library is closing as an independent service location, and digital media and related services will be integrated into the Libraries’ Open Scholarship Commons (OSC). OSC services, including media, will remain online-only fall quarter while we start to plan for a new physical OSC space in Suzzallo Library. This transition will bring all support related to digital scholarship and media services in one place, providing for a more connected and accessible experience for our users. Questions about services can be directed to Ask Us or [email protected].

• Autumn 2021 Teaching Support Update: The UW Libraries’ default delivery mode for teaching and learning services in Autumn 2021 will be online, including robust options for online synchronous/asynchronous workshops and DIY modular content.
  • Requests for in-person services will be considered based on specific exceptional circumstances (e.g. accessibility needs, the nature of particular research/learning materials).
  • Learn more about Libraries comprehensive teaching support services 
• Reminder: HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS) will end on 9/20. Learn more.  

• Stay informed: In this very fluid and every-changing environment, the best source for Libraries updates is the Libraries COVID-19 update page. 

News and Stories

STUDENTS: Don’t miss What I wish I Knew My First Year: UW Libraries are so much more than study space and books! Students often tell us they wish they had known more about Libraries’ services at the start of their UW journey. You’ll want to be sure to bookmark these helpful tips!

Readers Wanted for the October 8th- Community Constitutional Read Aloud!! As part of the Federal requirement to provide educational programming on the US Constitution aligned with the national Constitution Day, the UW Libraries holds an annual Constitution read aloud event. This community-led reading allows us to critically examine the historical and contemporary significance this document holds within our society.  We welcome students, faculty, staff and community members to join us in reading the full text of the Constitution, including some very special guest speakers! Learn More 

Special Collections Annual Report: During Libraries closure, the staff of Special Collections carried on behind the scenes, facilitating classes, collecting, and archiving of new materials, and connecting with the community through digital exhibits and more. Read the report. 

“I just want to thank you for all your invaluable assistance in my classes over the past year or so. Even the unfortunately necessary switch to the remote format didn’t stop you! [T]his collection is very special. It needs your passionate and knowledgeable guidance. In every case, whether you need to visit my class or over Zoom, or my students get the chance to visit Special Collections, it is literally impossible for me to teach these classes without your help. “

– Maya Sonenberg, Prof. English and Creative Writing (see page 13 of UW Libraries Annual Report)

Words Matter: Critical Cataloging and Archival Description at the University of Washington Libraries.  UW Libraries is committed to anti-racist work in sustaining diversity, creating an inclusive experience for our users, and confronting institutional bias and structural racism as demonstrated by our recent work to create change within our cataloging and archival descriptions. Learn more about our work in this area, and please share this blog post with your students and teams.

September Workshops

•  UW Libraries Dawg Daze Events : Not just for freshman! For many students, fall 2021 will be the first time students visit campus and the Libraries in person. This year’s Dawg Daze events have something for everyone – including dedicated events for transfer students and first-generation students. From Libraries tours, online workshops and more—don’t miss Libraries during Dog Daze! See all Libraries events. 

Featured Resources, Digital Collections, & UW Press 

• UW Libraries Student FAQ is updated for fall quarter. Check out this “go to” resource to learn about academic resources and collections the Libraries offers, information about accessing the Libraries, and academic and wellness support services offered by campus partners. 

• New  from UW Press: Marriage and Intimacy in Qing China by Weijing Lu. Although commonly associated with patriarchal oppression, arranged marriages have adapted over the centuries to changing cultural norms and the lived experiences of men and women. Arranged Companions raises provocative questions about the cultural construction of intimacy and the meaning of a “happy marriage.” Learn more.

Save the Date

October 28th- 2021 Artist Images: Juan Alonso-Rodríguez: For the 2021 edition, we’ll talk with artist Juan Alonso-Rodríguez. A Cuban-born, self-taught artist whose transition from music to visual arts coincided with his move to Seattle in 1982, his work has been exhibited throughout the US, Canada and Latin America. This FREE, virtual discussion will explore the artist’s influences past and present, COVID-era impacts and perspective on the future. The discussion will be facilitated by Seattle Arts Commissioner, Vivian Phillips and UW Libraries’ Anne Jenner, with remarks from UW President, Ana Marie Cauce and the new dean of UW Libraries, Simon Neame. This event is made possible through the support of the Anne Gould Hauberg Endowed Library Fund. Learn more.