HSLIC News

National Library Week: There’s More to the Story (Administration)

The Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center has been in its current location since 1977. The building has undergone numerous renovations over the years as we have adapted to the changing needs of our community. From safety and maintenance to comfort and technology . . .  there’s more to the story. 

As the only publicly accessible health sciences library in the state, HSLIC supports a large community that extends beyond UNM. It takes a dedicated team of administrators, vendors, UNM staff, and funding to keep our facility safe, comfortable, clean, and updated. Just over the past three years, we have made the following improvements to our building: 

• New Wellness Room – A space provided by HSLIC meant for mental, physical, and emotional support.  It’s a space for library users to take a break, meditate, pray, and more.  
• Individual Study Room Remodel – An upgrade to our individual study rooms to better allow ease of access for users and provide a better study environment with fresh paint and the addition of artwork on the walls. This project also included updates to our Lactation room. 
• 24/7 Access – Allowing HSC students, staff, and faculty badge access to the building and its amenities 24/7. 
• Recarpeting Study Rooms – New carpeting for better cleaning and maintenance within all group study rooms on the 3rd floor.  
• Universal Restroom (Coming Soon!) – New single-occupant restroom facility for all library users that more fully meets ADA standards with accessible sink, soap dispenser, and paper towel dispenser, grab bars, lift, and space for a wheelchair to fully move around, as well as a diaper changing station for families. 

But how do these improvements impact our community? Here are just a few examples! 

24/7 badge access provides UNM HSC students, staff, and faculty with round-the-clock access to individual and group study spaces, anatomy models, books, computers, printing, and Wi-Fi! Despite going 24/7 in 2021, our electricity usage remains similar to 2019 when the building had more limited evening and weekend hours.  

Research has shown that unclean/uncomfortable spaces can negatively affect our stress and anxiety levels. That’s why our wonderful custodial, recycling, police, and maintenance staff work hard to keep our patrons safe and our spaces clean. When there is an issue, we fix it fast!

We pride ourselves on having an inclusive/accommodating environment! HSLIC has adjustable tables in its individual study rooms and student computing area, a universal bathroom, lactation room, wellness room, walking treadmills, and free menstrual products in all bathrooms! 

Being inside buildings and behind a screen all day can be exhausting. That’s why we strive to bring the health benefits of the outdoors indoors! From our wall of windows letting in natural light to our indoor trees and other real/live greenery scattered around the building, the biophilic design of our library can help boost mood, alertness, concentration, and energy levels.  

HSLC understands how a well-maintained building can help lead to student success. We are listening and have even more amazing plans for the future! 

So next time you’re in HSLIC, take a minute to look around, see what’s new, and remember . . . there’s more to the story!  

Co-authored by: Wendell Billingsley, Sally Bowler-Hill, Brandon Carroll, George Hernandez, and David Lucero

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