HSLIC News

Happy Student Appreciation Week to our Public Services student employees! We appreciate your friendly faces at the avocado desk, and we thank you for your hard work and dedication to helping our patrons.

Visitors to the library may already know and love our Public Services Library Specialists and Library Assistants because they are the first to greet you when you enter the library, they answer the phone at the front desk, they assist with many of our tours and outreach events, and they are the resourceful first responders to all the unexpected issues that arise from day to day. In addition to this invaluable work, our student employees are, um, students, and they balance their work at the library with their academic course loads and full lives.

Daniel Serrano

Currently in his Senior year studying Computer Science, Daniel has been working at HSLIC for almost 3 years. He was promoted to a Student Specialist position in part due to his expertise with using and explaining our emerging technology offerings. Daniel has been applying for jobs, and when he graduates, he wants to go into software engineering, cyber security, or data analysis. Daniel is bilingual (English and Spanish), enjoys going to the gym and playing basketball, and his favorite food is sushi.

Lexis Lovato

Lexis is a Journalism and Communications major, currently in her Sophomore year. She has been with HSLIC for 8 months, and was chosen for the Student Specialist position due to her excellent communication skills. When she graduates, Lexis plans to pursue a career in multimedia or print journalism with the intention of bringing awareness to cultural, environmental, and political issues within the state of New Mexico. She is also a culture reporter at the Daily Lobo, where she loves experiencing different events, speaking to her peers, and sharing that connection with others.

Savannah Snider

Savannah is studying Art Education at UNM, where she is currently a Junior. She has been working as a Student Library Assistant at HSLIC for almost a year, and we credit her with ensuring Public Services won the winter table decorating contest last December with our Mushroom Village. After graduation, she wants to be an art teacher for elementary school students. She is owned by two cats, Gnocchi and Rosemary.

Nazneen-Sultana Jawadi

Naz came to UNM as a transfer student from Sacramento, California. A Junior in Biology with a pre-med concentration, she plans to apply to UNM School of Medicine when she graduates. Her future goals include becoming an OB/GYN. Naz has been a Student Library Assistant at HSLIC for 5 months, which she finds to be a rewarding and supportive student job. She loves matcha, Pilates, and shopping; considers herself a big foodie; enjoys hanging out with friends and family; and her favorite animals are cats.

Anna Sanchez

Studying Architecture and Construction Management, Anna is currently in her Sophomore year. She has been working as a Student Library Assistant at HSLIC for 4 months, learning skills quickly on the job. Anna's future plans include seeking out internship opportunities with a construction or architecture firm with the intention of one day owning and operating an architecture and construction business of her own. Anna comes from El Paso, Texas, and she is the eldest of three sisters. She likes going to the gym, listening to music, crochet, and working with her hands. She recently hand crocheted an entire blanket as a gift for her mom.

Once again, a big thank you to all our Public Services students. If one or more of them has helped you with a library question or brightened your day by greeting you at the desk, please take a moment to stop by the avocado this week to say thank you and show your appreciation.

April 10th is Take Action for Libraries Day, a day defined by the American Library Association as “a day to rally advocates to support libraries, stand with your community to defend the freedom to read, and celebrate what makes libraries essential.”

The Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center (HSLIC) at the University of New Mexico wants to recognize the significant actions taken by the voters of New Mexico on the recent Public Libraries Bond Issue, which passed with a 67% majority in November 2024. By approving a continuing tax of $0.82 per $100,000 of property value over 10 years, New Mexico voters appropriated $19.3 million for public libraries throughout the state, including $6 million for academic libraries. With an annual average cost of less than the price of a latte per year, New Mexicans have decisively chosen to “Take Action for Libraries.”

HSLIC is the only publicly accessible academic health sciences library in the state. Our essential role is providing health information access and health literacy skills and training for our community. Bond funding allows HSLIC to continue providing access to proprietary health databases and ejournals for clinical research and scholarship, and access to critical resources that educate New Mexico’s next generation of healthcare providers.

We are grateful to the voters of New Mexico for their trust and overwhelming support for academic libraries. This funding provision ensures that HSLIC remains at the forefront of academic excellence and innovation in the health sciences.

For a full listing of public library projects and programs funded by the Public Libraries Bond, go to https://ballotpedia.org/New_Mexico_Bond_Question_2,_Public_Libraries_Bond_Issue_(2024) 

This year, National Library Week falls on Wednesday, April 9.  It is an opportunity to shine a light on the work library professionals do outside the library in order to ensure that all populations have access to the resources and services they need.

Library outreach is about bringing library services to people wherever they are.  HSLIC works hard to ensure that people throughout the state are able to access necessary information and develop the literacy skills needed for today’s world.  We introduce resources and provide information support to a variety of communities, including New Mexico’s pueblos and tribes, strive to increase digital access to health information and health care in rural communities, and constantly work to create and maintain productive relationships with organizations throughout the state.

This month, HSLIC, through its with partnership with New Mexico State Library, introduces a new program to bring a little of HSLIC to all corners of the state.  The new Traveling Exhibits Program shares highlights from HSLIC's Special Collections via two sets of exhibit panels and program kits, one on infectious disease and another on diabetes, available to public libraries throughout the state to check out, and have delivered to their location via the State Library's Courier and Delivery Service program.   

Library outreach is an essential HSLIC service supporting learning for all throughout New Mexico.  
 

April 8th is National Library Worker's Day, a day to celebrate all library workers and the amazing service they provide to our users. The Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center (HSLIC) is fortunate on this day to celebrate not only our existing employees, but two new people who have recently joined the library.

We are excited to welcome Emily Roberts as our new Nursing and Allied Health Librarian! Emily will be liaising with the College of Nursing and our many allied health programs to provide curricular and research support to faculty, staff and students. She is a member of the Research, Education and Clinical Information Services Division at HSLIC and has her office on our newly remodeled second floor. Prior to joining us, Emily was the Library Services Coordinator at UNM HSC’s Center for Development and Disability Library. She has worked as an instructional consultant with faculty at CNM and at various public libraries in Colorado. In 2024, Emily received the Community Achievement Award from the New Mexico Library Association for outstanding library service and achievement at the local level.  Please join us in welcoming Emily to HSLIC.  Emily received her Masters of Library and Information Science from Valdosta State University and her Bachelor of Arts from Knox College in Religion and Politics. 

Christian Peshlakai,, HSLIC's new Emerging Technologies Specialist, started working at the University of New Mexico Hospital, specifically the Children’s Psychiatric Hospital for five years and a few of those during the Covid pandemic. As a Behavioral Health technician, his goal was to maintain safety for patients and assist health care professionals with their goals. A large part of the daily schedule was based on coping skills and employing de-escalation skills. 

In 2022, he started working at Zimmerman Library as a Library Information Specialist II. A large part of working as a LIS 2 was working with patrons either through chat, reference desk, and roaming. An interest of his at main campus was seeking technologies such as 3D printing and working with 3D models.

It’s his hope that several technologies can be made widely accessible through main and north campus.

His hobbies include audiobooks, playing video games, DND, board games and occasionally dabbling in new technologies like 360 cameras or working in Adobe Photoshop. His current success rate at best man speeches is currently 100%.

Blog written by Robyn Gleasner & Varina Kosovich 

April 6th-12th is National Library Week, and this year’s theme is Drawn to the Library! Whether you come to study, explore resources, or just enjoy the campus community, we’re here for you.  

Today, we’re spotlighting  Graphic Medicine and hope this print collection will draw you to HSLIC. Explore how comics can make complex medical concepts more accessible, share personal experiences, and illustrate health topics. 

Accessible Medical Information

Graphic Medicine is a genre that combines the visual and narrative power of comics with deeply personal and often complex experiences of health and illness. It is a great format for authors to depict real experiences and offer a window into their emotional, psychological, and personal journeys. Patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals can connect with and learn from these stories. Graphic medicine makes these topics and challenging conversations more accessible and engaging for everyone. For example, the genre allows physicians to share perspectives on clinical care while having an honest conversation about mental health while practicing. Titles include:

How Diagnoses and Feelings are Drawn

Graphic medicine artists often use unique visual techniques to depict medical diagnoses, pain, or mental health symptoms. In the graphic novel Mishadra, written and illustrated by Iasmin Omar Ata, the main character, Isaac, has epilepsy. Iasmin, who also has epilepsy, represents an oncoming seizure as a string of bright blue beads with multiple knives attached. Whenever Issaac’s seizures are triggered, the beads appear in the panel. This imagery not only helps readers understand how Issaac feels when he’s about to have a seizure but also serves as a visual representation of a sensation that is usually invisible to others.  

Many graphic novels authors and illustrators share personal experiences in their work, as seen in the example above. In the graphic novel What’s Wrong, which explores chronic pain and navigating the health care system, one woman depicts her pain by drawing her skeleton as separate from her body, while another illustrates herself with her nervous system visible. Through these powerful images, the artists convey the intensity of chronic pain and how they perceive their bodies in the midst of it.   

Want to Learn More? 

Let Graphic Medicine draw you to HSLIC! You can find our collection on the 4th floor on the shelf across from Room 428. Look for the purple “graphic novel” stickers. 

If you feel inspired by the Graphic Medicine Collection and want to draw your own comics, the library has you covered! We have art supplies and drawing books in the Wellness Room and Wellness Corner on the 3rd floor. Contact Varina Kosovich, Student Support Coordinator, for more information. 

After months of construction, HSLIC’s entry level (2nd floor) is back—and better than ever! Our refreshed main floor is designed with students, faculty, and visitors in mind, offering an inviting, modern space to study, collaborate, and recharge. We’ve been working hard at transforming the space, and we’re excited to finally unveil the updates. 

Here’s a look at what’s new:

Modernized Lobby & Service Desk
We’ve reimagined the lobby with noise-dampening tiles and flooring to create a calmer, more welcoming entrance. The updated service desk offers accessible support stations and increased storage for checkout items, helping us serve you better.

Vibrant New Carpet
Out with the old, in with the bold! The floor now features colorful carpet in an HSC-themed modern pattern that complements the third floor’s design.

A Fresh, Flexible Seating Area
The updated entry level boasts a bright, open layout filled with natural light and cozy lounge seating. Whether you're here to study solo or work with classmates, the new configuration offers plenty of options. 

Upgraded Student Computing
Computers are now conveniently located near the entrance. The new motorized computer tables are arranged in a sleek “molecular” layout for both functionality and style. Look out for an additional scanning station and fresh library displays nearby.

Kitchenette with a Microwave (Finally!)
Yes, it’s true—the long-awaited microwave has arrived! The entry level now features a kitchenette complete with a fridge, vending options, and seating. It’s the perfect spot to relax between classes, warm up your lunch, or catch up with friends.

Technology Room Featuring a Data Visualization Wall
Explore data like never before with our new, cutting-edge Data Visualization Wall. This interactive display transforms complex information into engaging visuals that support collaborative learning and data-driven storytelling. Dive into curated datasets, uncover insights, and experience a whole new way to engage with research and information.

Nook Seating Pods (By Popular Vote!)
You asked, we delivered! The beloved Nook seating pods are now a permanent part of the floor. Equipped with charging outlets, adjustable lighting, whiteboard walls, and acoustic panels, these pods are great for focused study, collaboration, or even a quiet lunch. One pod is dedicated for relaxation, featuring a cozy beanbag perfect for unwinding.

Grand Re-Opening Celebration – Friday, April 4th
We’re thrilled to invite you to the Grand Re-Opening of the library’s newly renovated main floor! Join us on Friday, April 4th for a full day of festivities. Tour the new space, meet our team, and discover the enhanced services and features we’ve added.

Expect fun giveaways, interactive events, and a chance to celebrate this exciting milestone with your campus community.

Check out our LibGuide for parking info, the event schedule, and more details about the open house activities.

We can’t wait to welcome you back to the heart of HSLIC—see you there!

Blog written by Danielle Maurici-Pollock, Laura Hall, and Varina Kosovich. 

March 31st is Transgender Day of Visibility, a time to celebrate the trans community, their resilience, and their accomplishments. It is also an opportunity to recognize the ongoing advocacy needed to ensure equity, dignity, and access to healthcare. You belong, and you matter today and every day. 

This year, our transgender family, friends, and neighbors continue to face threats to their rights, safety, and well-being, often fueled by harmful rhetoric and misinformation. As the UNM Health Sciences Center Library & Informatics Center, we aim to provide accurate information about healthcare for transgender patients, including gender-affirming care, and amplify the voices of transgender individuals who have benefitted from this often life-saving care. 

While gender-affirming care is protected in New Mexico, we acknowledge the struggles to access healthcare due to provider shortages and systemic barriers. Transgender folks routinely encounter these barriers and discrimination when seeking any type of healthcare, making it essential for all providers to be informed about transgender care and lived experiences. Combating misinformation—particularly from unreliable sources—is crucial. Equally important is sharing stories of the joy and empowerment that can come from receiving gender-affirming care. 

Below find first-person narratives from transgender folks as well as health resources for patients and providers from New Mexico and beyond.

Trans Stories 

What Trans Youth Want You to Know: An article from ACLU New Mexico. Three kids discuss their lives, experiences, and perspectives on life in the trans community. 

UCLA Health Patient Stories: read stories about gender-affirming care from Chloe, Alice, Dany, and Darius. 

What Trans People Want Healthcare Professionals to Know: A video from the PBS series Vitals. Dr. Alok Patel and registered nurse Sheena Williams answer questions from trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming folks.

Unapologetically Myself: Listen to Lucas Segal, a trans man living in Arkansas, share his experiences with transitioning, growing up trans in a small town, and receiving gender-affirming care. An interview with the Human Rights Campaign. 

Experiences, Challenges, and Hopes of Trans and Nonbinary US Adults: Findings from 2022 Pew Research Center focus groups that include topics of navigating gender day-to-day, seeking medical care for gender transitions, policy and social change, and more. 

Southern Story Bank: A GLAAD video series that focus on LGBTQ+ Southerners living in states without anti-discrimination laws. Hear narratives from Quentin Bell, Dee Dee Watters, Jasmine Davis, and more.  

Resources

Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico: Includes a provider directory, information about Casa Lola, their transitional housing program, and the organization's drop-in center. 

NM Gender Affirming Care ECHO Program: this program will build the knowledge and capacity of those in health care settings to increase access for patients, as well as to make it clear that access to health care for all is valued and protected here in New Mexico.

Gender-Affirming Health Care in NM: Information about ACLU of NM about getting gender-affirming care in the state, including protections, what to expect if you are traveling from out of state to receive care, and a FAQ section.  

Transgender Resources & Clinician Resources: Guidance from Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender and Gender Expansive Health. For patients, find information for parents of LGBTQ youth, information about gender affirmation services, and crisis resources. For providers find guidelines for care, information on making patients feel welcome, and clinical resources.  

Learning Resources-Transgender Health: A wide variety of clinical resources from the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center. Topics include behavioral health, intersex health, information on caring for LGBTQIA+ patients of all ages, and more. 

World Professional Association for Transgender Health: A non-profit organization devoted to transgender health. Promotes evidence based care, education, research, public policy, and respect in transgender health. 

Medical Association Statements in Support of Health Care for Transgender People and Youth: From GLAAD. Collects statements from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, among many others. 

If you would like to support our trans community in New Mexico or help a family move, consider donating to the following organizations: 

Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico

North Texas TRANSportation Network