Levy Library Blog

Happy Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week Month! At the Levy Library, we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the dedication, resilience, and passion you bring to your work each day. Whether you’re diving into research, tackling complex coursework, or contributing to groundbreaking discoveries, your efforts inspire us all. 

As your library team, we're here to be your equitable partner every step of the way—whether you need access to essential resources, research support, a quiet study space, or just a helpful hand. Here's how we can help you thrive throughout your academic journey: 

1. Your Partner in Scholarly Research 
Need help with your research? Whether it’s refining your research question, conducting a literature review, navigating complex databases or managing your citations, our Education & Research Services team offers personalized consultations to help you develop research strategies that save time and get results.  Don’t forget to explore the Scholarly Publishing and Visualization Hub, our new portal for support in reference management, the publishing and promotion process, metrics, and visualizations—an invaluable resource for taking your scholarly research and work to the next level.

2. Powerful Tools and Resources 

Access our robust collection of scholarly tools and materials including literature databases like PubMed, point of care tools like UpToDate, e-books, scholarly articles, and reference management tools like EndNote and Zotero to streamline your workflow. Not sure if we have access to something? Contact our Ask a Librarian service, and we will be more than happy to help you find what you need.

3. Workshops and Classes 
Our Library Classes & Workshops are designed to build your confidence and skills, whether you’re just starting your research or diving deep into data management. We offer a wide range of workshops including introductions to EndNote and Zotero, conducting literature reviews, publishing, and artificial intelligence.  

4. Study Spaces That Work for You 
We know that both focus and downtime are essential to your success. That’s why the Levy Library offers a range of study environments—from quiet zones to collaborative workspaces and tech-equipped rooms—so you can choose what works best for you. Need a more private spot? Our reservable rooms are perfect for virtual meetings, interviews, or solo study sessions. And don’t forget to check out your brand-new Levy Library Student Commons, a dedicated space just for graduate and medical students—designed with your needs in mind. 

5. Tech Support and Equipment Loans 
Need a charger, stand, or laptop? We’ve got you covered. Our equipment loan service helps you stay connected and productive, especially when you’re moving between classes, labs, and work. Simply walk to our User Services desk and borrow away! 

6. Support for Your Well-being 
We know success goes beyond academics. Whether you need a quiet space to focus, a friendly face, or just a moment to recharge, we’re here for you. Our spaces, resources, services, and team are always ready to support you—not just during Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week Month, but every day of the year. 

From all of us at the Levy Library—thank you for your incredible work, your curiosity, and your commitment to making a difference. We see you, we appreciate you, and we’re always here for you. 

Happy Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week Month!

In celebration of National Library Week (April 6–12), we’re excited to introduce a new reason to be drawn to the library: the launch of the Scholarly Publishing and Visualization Hub — bringing together services and resources that inspire and empower Mount Sinai researchers, clinicians, and students to create and share new knowledge. 

At a time when libraries continue to spark imagination, foster connection, and help users connect the dots across ideas, disciplines, and discoveries, the Scholarly Publishing and Visualization Hub (SPV Hub) introduces ways to connect students, faculty, and staff with  tools and services that enable innovation and the dissemination of Mount Sinai’s scholarly activity within and beyond our community. 

Whether you're exploring the work of fellow Mount Sinai researchers, seeking collaborators, or developing your own project, Library support at every stage is easy to identify on the SPV Hub. Discover research happening across the institution, connect with potential partners, and bring your ideas to life with expert guidance on visualizations, scholarly research and writing, and reference management.  

As part of our commitment to equity in access and innovation, the SPV Hub showcases partnerships by which we offer digital platforms such as the Levy Library Press and the Icahn School of Medicine Scholars Portal, and expert guidance to help you share your work, explore open access options, and select journals to reach your intended audiences. To help amplify your impact, we offer support with author profiles, visibility tools, and research metrics. The SPV Hub also serves as a online portal to come together with colleagues through events and workshops that foster community and shared learning. 

As we mark 50 years of fueling discovery and scholarship at the Levy Library, the launch of this SPV Hub stands as a powerful reflection of that legacy while staying true to our long-standing commitment to be your equitable and inclusive partner in learning. We invite you to explore the Scholarly Publishing and Visualization Hub — a virtual space designed to inspire and support every stage of your scholarly journey — and connect with the Library team with your ideas and questions. 

For more information and to get started, please visit the Scholarly Publishing and Visualization webpage at: libguides.mssm.edu/spv-hub 

We’re thrilled to introduce the Levy Library Student Commons, a brand-new space designed exclusively for graduate and medical students at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Whether you're looking for a quiet place to study, a collaborative environment for group projects, or simply a space to unwind, the Student Commons is here to support you.

This space was created in partnership with Medical Education Program and the Graduate School, and Levy Library, with the goal of providing a welcoming and inclusive environment tailored to your academic and personal needs.

What You’ll Find in the Student Commons

The Student Commons offers a variety of spaces to match different study and collaboration styles:

• Commons Area – A relaxed, open space where you can connect with peers, have casual conversations, or engage in independent study.
• Two Individual Focus Rooms – Ideal for deep focus, virtual meetings, or interviews. These rooms can be reserved when you need a private space.
• Two Think Tanks (Group Study Rooms) – Perfect for teamwork and study groups, these rooms allow for collaborative learning and discussion.
• One Collaborative Room – Designed for small group meetings and brainstorming sessions, this space accommodates up to six users.
• Study Hub – Featuring six individual bookable desks for silent, distraction-free study.

How to Book a Space

Booking a space in the Student Commons is simple! Just visit the Levy Library Student Commons booking website (https://libcal.mssm.edu/r/search/studentcommons) to reserve a focus room, collaborative space, or an individual desk.

Hours & Access

The Student Commons is open during Levy Library’s 11th-floor hours. Access is limited to graduate and medical students and you’ll need to use your Mount Sinai ID card to enter.

Have Questions?

You can learn about the space at: libguides.mssm.edu/findaspace/studentcommons. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to the Levy Library team at library@mssm.edu or stop by the Library User Services Desk—we’re happy to help!

We look forward to seeing you in the Student Commons and can’t wait for you to experience this new space designed with you in mind.

Dear Mount Sinai Community,

The Library team reviews the use of journals, books, databases and knowledge management tools each year to ensure we subscribe to the resources Mount Sinai needs for learning, research and clinical care.  We have a few new and restored journals starting in January as the result of swapping out lesser used resources.  

With the financial challenges facing health care, Mount Sinai's budget for library resources for 2025 could not support all of our subscriptions. Based on usage data, costs and contract limitations, we made the difficult decision to stop subscribing to the journals and databases listed at the end of this post. Many of these will not be available online to you starting January 1, 2025.  For others, the subscription ends later in 2025 on the listed dates.   

We recognize that the loss of immediate online access is an inconvenience, but you can still get the materials you need from the Library by request. Please use our interlibrary loan service (ILL) to request articles you need from any journal at no cost to you. You will typically receive them within 2 business days, rush requesting is available, and we use the data from ILL to make decisions about the need for future subscriptions.  If you do not have an ILL account, please register now so that when you need something, you are ready to request it seamlessly.  

For the databases and tools, below we identify alternatives that you can use or other locations where you can access the resources. If you have any questions, please contact us at library@mssm.edu.  

Hearing from you about how you are impacted by these budget reductions will allow us to prioritize restoring the most needed resources should the budget situation improve.  We welcome partnerships with others that may have funds to support subscriptions to titles that we cannot currently afford.  

Sincerely yours,  

Kris Alpi, Associate Dean of Libraries and Information Sciences

New Resources starting January 1, 2025

Journal additions through swapping:

• Dermatitis
• International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health
• International Journal of Gynecological Cancer

Platform additions:

• McGraw-Hill Access Neurology
  Includes titles such as Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology, Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Neurology, and Lange Clinical Neurology
• McGraw-Hill Access ObGyn
  Includes titles such as Williams Obstetrics, First Aid for the Obstetrics & Gynecology Clerkship, and Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Obstetrics & Gynecology
• McGraw-Hill Access Pediatrics
  Includes titles such as Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Pediatrics, Rudolph's Pediatrics, First Aid for the Pediatrics Clerkship

Resources stopping / Cancellations as of December 31, 2024

Journals cancelled or swapped:

• AI Precision in Oncology 
• Chem
• GEN Edge 
• Integrative and Complementary Therapies
• Journal of Chiropractic Humanities
• Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology 
• Matter
• Pediatric Dentistry

Databases and ebooks not renewed:

• Encyclopedia of Reagents (EROS) 
• McGraw-Hill Primary Care eBook Library - The publisher is discontinuing this collection. The Levy Library catalog provides a number of comparable online books as an alternative.

Resources stopping later in 2025:

• Nursing Specialties from Board Vitals
  • Access ends January 25, 2025.
  • PSON students have access to NCLEX and other nursing exam prep materials through PSON. 
  • Nurses at Mount Sinai studying for NCLEX have access to LearningExpress Library (through New York Public Library) --everyone at Mount Sinai eligible for NYPL card. Choose "Careers" and then "Prepare for Nursing Exams"
• DynaMed
  • Access ends July 1, 2025. 
  • Comparable point of care resources available include UpToDate, Dynamic Health, and BMJ Best Practice.
• Market Research
  • Access ends September 30, 2025.
  • Market research data sources available from New York Public Library (NYPL)--everyone at Mount Sinai eligible for NYPL card. 

November 22, 2024, marks a momentous occasion: the 50th anniversary of the Gustave L. and Janet W. Levy Library. For half a century, Levy Library has been a cornerstone of learning, discovery, and collaboration at Mount Sinai. From our origins as a library staff stewarding a physical collection of books and journals to our transformation into your partners in a state-of-the-art digital and collaborative learning environment, Levy Library has evolved to meet the needs of all learners in our dynamic academic health center. 

This anniversary is not just about looking back—it’s about moving forward. Over the next year, we invite you to help us celebrate our golden anniversary as we dive into four key themes that reflect the Library’s integral role in advancing Mount Sinai’s mission: 

Learning with the Library 

Levy Library provides a virtual and physical learning environment with current high-quality knowledge resources and expert guidance by library staff. We educate our community, fostering curiosity and critical thinking.  We leverage artificial intelligence and educational technology in collaborative activities that prepare learners to navigate a rapidly evolving world. 

Fueling Discovery & Scholarship 

For five decades, Levy Library has been at the heart of Mount Sinai's journey in discovery and scholarship. As a hub for scholarly activity, our digital library is available whenever inspiration hits.  We provide equitable access to biomedical illustration, publishing tools and workshops, and open access publishing in Levy Library Press journals.  We champion Mount Sinai authors and promote their work through the Scholars Portal. 

Advancing Clinical Care 

The Levy Library seamlessly integrates immediate, evidence-based information critical to patient care within the clinical environment to support the dynamic needs of our healthcare professionals. We partner with Graduate Medical Education, the Center for Nursing Research and Innovation, and a broad network of healthcare teams to ensure access to essential resources, training, and support. We equip every member of our health system with the tools to drive healthcare excellence and advance clinical care. 

Connectedness 

Our strength lies in the connections we build with our users, the physical and virtual places we provide for learners to connect, and the partnerships we foster across Mount Sinai. Levy Library serves as vital connective tissue, seamlessly linking our users with biomedical literature, collaborations, and partnerships. Committed to equity and accessibility, we ensure that every member of our diverse community can connect, learn, and grow. 

Join the Celebration Today! 

As part of our 50th-anniversary kickoff, we’re inviting everyone to explore the rich history and lasting impact of Levy Library. Here’s how you can participate: 

• Read More About Our History: Discover the Library’s journey and its influence on Mount Sinai’s hospital and school community over at Mount Sinai Daily. 

• Visit Our Archival Visual Display: Stop by the Levy Library to view an engaging display showcasing archival images from the past 50 years. Can’t make it to campus? Explore our image showcase online and visit the Mount Sinai Archives online collection at archives.mssm.edu. 

• Attend Our Panel Discussion Today: Join us at noon for AI in the Library: Open Dialogue Series, a fascinating panel discussion on the role of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning. Join the panel in person at Levy Library or online via Zoom. 

• Share your Levy Moment and Vision of your Library: We invite you to join us in honoring our history, exploring our present, and imagining our future. Share your "Levy Moment" and your vision of your Library. 

This is just the beginning of a year-long celebration filled with events, stories, and opportunities to connect. As we celebrate this milestone year, we invite you to join us in honoring our history, exploring our present, and imagining our future. Let’s celebrate Levy Moments, share stories, and define what the next 50 years of the Levy Library will look like—together. 

Here’s to 50 years of knowledge and community—and many more to come! 

Looking for the perfect spot to study? The Levy Library has you covered! Whether you prefer quiet, independent work or a collaborative space to study with colleagues, the open areas on the 11th floor provide a range of study environments, including access to several computer workstations and docking stations for your study and research needs. Need an extra space for a zero noise study session, take a meeting or make a phone call? Reserve one of our three meeting pods, ideal for short study sessions, collaborative meetings, or even virtual discussions.

If you’re on the 10th floor, you’ll find more reservable spaces, including two group rooms that can accommodate up to six people and four individual study rooms for those who prefer a more private setting.

And if you’re studying at other Mount Sinai campuses, we've got you covered there too! The Mount Sinai West Library is open 24/7 with ID card access, ensuring you can study whenever it suits you. At Mount Sinai Morningside, the Information Commons is also available around the clock. For those in East Harlem, the Phillips School of Medicine Information Commons offers study space for current ISMMS, GSBS and PSON students Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM to 7:00PM and Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00PM—just show your Mount Sinai ID card to the security guard for entry.

If you have any questions about accessing these spaces or reserving rooms, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at the library. We’re here to help make your study season as smooth as possible!

Levy Library 

The Levy Library is on the 10th and 11th floors of the Annenberg Building, on the Mount Sinai Hospital campus at 1 Gustave Levy Place. The Library main entrance located is on the 11th floor. For more information, visit the Levy Library website - library.mssm.edu 

Library Hours – 11th Floor 

• 7:30am – 12:50am  Monday- Friday 
• 10:00am – 10:50pm  Saturday 
• 12:00pm – 10:50pm Sunday 

Overnight Access – 10th Floor 

• After 9pm –6am on weekdays – 10th floor is open to ISMMS, GSBS,  and PSON Students and Mount Sinai trainees with a valid Mount Sinai ID card. 
• 24 hours on weekends - 10th floor is open to ISMMS, GSBS, and PSON Students and Mount Sinai trainees with a valid Mount Sinai IC card.

Study Spaces, Meeting Pod, Group Study, and Individual Study Reservations

• Check out the spaces available and get started with a reservation here: libguides.mssm.edu/findaspace 

Mount Sinai Morningside Information Commons

The Mount Sinai Information Commons is located inside the Clark building of the Mount Sinai Morningside campus at 440 West 114 St. The Library is located on the 8th floor, Room MU5C23 and is accessible 24/7 to current Mount Sinai faculty, staff, and students with a valid Mount Sinai ID card. For more information, visit Mount Sinai Information Commons website - libguides.mssm.edu/MSM

Mount Sinai West Library

The Mount Sinai West Medical Library is located in the Mount Sinai West Hospital campus at 1000th 10th Ave. The Library is located on the second floor, near the chapel in room 2A-10 and is accessible 24/7 to current Mount Sinai faculty, staff, and students with a valid Mount Sinai ID card. For more information, visit Mount Sinai West Library website - libguides.mssm.edu/MSW

PSON Information Commons

The PSON Information Commons is located on the second floor of the PSON building at 148 E.126 St. This space is only accessible to current PSON, ISMMS and GSBS students with a valid Mount Sinai ID card Monday - Thursday 7:00AM - 7:00PM and Friday 7:00AM - 5:00PM.

Welcome to the Mount Sinai Community!

July was an amazing month to meet many wonderful new learners and we are excited you chose Mount Sinai as the place to continue your education. From the MD-PhD students and the Graduate Medical Education trainees who started at the beginning of the month, to the incoming medical student class of 2028 who toured the Library as part of Basecamp on July 29, to our new graduate students who will start in August--we welcome you to partner with the Library in your learning journey. 

I joined Mount Sinai two years ago on July 1, and here are the first two things I did to transition to my scholarly life at Mount Sinai:

1. Start using the Mount Sinai specific PubMed URL so you are linked to the full-text articles licensed by the Library -- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?holding=mssmlib&otool=mssmlib
2. Sign up for a free interlibrary loan account so that you can request free of charge any articles to which we don't have a subscription. 

In the coming weeks, we will have posts for student resources and service recommendations as well as a post focused on trainee resources and services. 

I hope to see you at future Library and ISMMS events, especially those with the Academy for Medicine & the Humanities.  I am always happy to hear from you if you have questions or suggestions. 

Kris

Kris Alpi, MLS, MPH, PhD, Associate Dean of Libraries & Information Sciences

Dear Mount Sinai community, 

We are excited to announce to Mount Sinai students and your faculty and academic programs that there are new options to preserve and share your scholarly work with readers outside of academic institutions.

When you are ready to submit your student thesis, dissertation or culminating work/capstone, there are new options in the Thesis and Dissertation Submission workflow for your consideration.   Mount Sinai now offers you the option to also make your work available through its digital collections hosted by the Arthur H. Aufses, Jr., MD Archives.  Having your work preserved in the Archives will generate a unique URL that allows you to share a link to your work with people outside of Mount Sinai who do not subscribe to the ProQuest Theses and Dissertation database. If you are requesting delayed sharing of your work due to publication or patent embargoes, you can indicate that you would like to share and then set the time periods delays, just as you do for the ProQuest database. 

If you are planning to submit your Graduate School thesis or dissertation soon, please review the instructions at https://libguides.mssm.edu/dissertations/ETDsubmission and let us know if you have any questions. Have a great summer!  

Kris Alpi, Associate Dean of Libraries & Information Sciences

Good news! The Library's Printing Services Guide just got a refresh and is now easier to use. You can quickly find all the information and software downloads you need to print from your personal MacOS or Windows laptop, computer, or mobile device.

You can check out the guide here: https://libguides.mssm.edu/technology/printingservices

PRINTING TIPS

If you print from a personal laptop or computer remember to reinstall the PaperCut software once in a while to keep up with the latest security updates. MacOS users, don't forget to uninstall the old version first! You can download instructions for uninstalling the old version and installing the new version here: https://libguides.mssm.edu/technology/laptopprinting 

If you have any questions or issues with printing in the library or to a personal device contact us at library@mssm.edu and we can help you out! 

Image by Memed_Nurrohmad from Pixabay.

Please be aware that due to upcoming Zoom tenant migration, the Levy Library's reference line will be unavailable from 7pm Friday, June 21, 2024 to 2am Saturday June 22, 2024. If you need to leave a message for library staff, please call the library's main line at 212-241-7791 and leave a voicemail there. You may also email us at refdesk@mssm.edu or contact us through our Ask-A-Librarian service.

Source: https://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/sites/ala.org.conferencesevents/files/content/celebrationweeks/natlibraryweek/nlw24-social-english-2-facebookshare.png 

Libraries are the cornerstone of lifelong learning. They are where community members of all kinds come to inquire, design, reflect, evaluate, and collaborate. As we celebrate National Library Week, we shine a light on the dedicated professionals who make these institutions thrive. Mount Sinai Health System library staff members work every day to support our academic, research, and hospital communities. They help find the answers to questions, maintain the cleanliness of the physical spaces, protect the collections, provide research support and instructional sessions, and assist with access to remote services.  

As a young librarian, it has been an honor to work and grow alongside individuals that encourage collaboration on all levels, honor academic integrity, and maintain a proactive outlook on advancements in scholarship. I am very proud to be a part of the Mount Sinai Health System Library Team! This week, please join us in celebrating our amazing staff members and all they do!  

For more information about our library locations and services offered by our staff, see the links below: 

Locations 

Mount Sinai Hospital - Levy Library 

Annenberg 11th Floor 

One Gustave L. Levy PL (1468 Madison Ave) 

Mount Sinai West - Medical Library 

2nd Floor 

1000 Tenth Avenue 

Mount Sinai Morningside - Information Commons 

Clark 8th Floor/Muhlenberg 5th Floor 

440 West 114th Street 

Services 

Interlibrary Loan Services 

• Need access to an article or book chapter outside of our collection? You can submit a request through your ILLiad account and the article or chapter will be delivered to you if available from a partner institution. 

Have a question? Just Ask a Librarian! 

• Ask A Librarian services are available between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Chat or text for immediate help or submit your questions online to receive a response within 24 business hours.  

Research Support Consultations  

• Research consultations are available in-person and via Zoom. You can schedule a research consultation or get help with a systematic review. 

Educational Offerings 

• Faculty members, program managers, residency directors, and others may book a customized class session with a librarian focused on the resources and research skills of greatest interest to their students, residents, and other trainees. 

ISMMS Writing Support Services 

• The ISMMS Writing Support Service provides ISMMS students, PSON students, residents, fellows, and postdocs with 1:1 consultations from experienced science writers and editors in a collaborative, non-judgmental, and confidential setting. To set up a consultation, visit the ISMMS Writing Support Services page.  

Contact Us 

If you have a general question, you can always reach us at refdesk@mssm.edu.  

Changes to our Seating Zones

We are pleased to announce some important updates aimed at enhancing your research and scholarly experience at your Library. As part of our continuous efforts to optimize the study and research spaces for our valued users, we are implementing changes to our seating zones.

On Friday, April 5th, the collaboration zone will be relocated to the northern section 11th floor while the quiet study zone will now occupy the western side of the 11th floor. This strategic rearrangement ensures that whether you are studying alone or working together, there is a designated space tailored to your needs.

Please be advised that part of the collaboration and quiet zones will be temporarily closed the morning Friday, April 5th in order to relocate furniture. Seats will still be available in the SW and NE side of the library during this closure.

Updates to our Library Food and Drink Policy

In light of these adjustments in our spaces, we are also taking the opportunity to refresh our Food and Drink Policy within the library premises. We kindly request that all meals, food trays, and hot food items not be consumed within the Library. We encourage users to enjoy their meals in the newly designated seating areas located in the Guggenheim and 11 West pavilions on the 1st floor of the campus, or in a designated student or staff lounge/eating area. We understand the importance of sustenance during long research and study sessions, and thus, we are happy to permit quick snacks while studying or working in the collaboration zone. 

We extend our sincerest appreciation for your cooperation in ensuring that our library remains a thriving hub for scholarly research and study. 

For those interested in exploring the diverse array of seating options available, a list of places to enjoy your meals on campus are listed below. 

• Guggenheim Pavilion - 1st floor
• Guggenheim Pavilion Outdoor Seating Area - 1st floor
• 11 West Pavilion - 1st floor
• Plaza Cafe - 1st floor
• Staff are encouraged to utilize their department lounges
• ISMMS students can also enjoy meals at:
  • Levinson Student Center - Annenberg 1
  • Center for Discovery and Innovation (when available) - Annenberg 5
  • Student Lounge- Annenberg 13

If you have any questions, please connect with us!

• Email: library@mssm.edu
• Call: 212-241-7791
• Text: 646-798-2316

The Levy Library is pleased to partner with Sinai Embroidery, Crochet, and Knitting to expand the offerings in the Creativity Zone.  For your relaxation and destressing purposes, we're adding a variety of supplies to support fiber arts.

If you're new to the idea of fiber arts, stop by and take a few minutes to learn the basics of crochet by participating in our first ever "Add A Row" project.  We recognize that getting started on a new hobby can be daunting, so we've asked the members of Sinai Embroidery, Crochet, and Knitting to suggest some tutorial videos that show basic crochet techniques to help get you started!

 Stop into the Levy Library Creativity Zone and scan one of the provided QR codes or check out one of the tutorials below:

• How to Crochet for Absolute Beginners: Episode 1 - The Set Up
• How to Crochet for Absolute Beginners: Episode 2 - Single Crochet
• How to Crochet for Absolute Beginners: Episode 3 - Double Crochet

We invite anyone who's ever wanted to give it a try to add on to the objects we've started in the Creativity Zone.  Do a quick row or two when you need a moment to decompress during a long study session, something to focus on during a break, or simply something to do to keep your hands busy.  Of course, if you're already experienced, you're welcome to participate as well!

We look forward to seeing your creativity in action!

If you want to learn more about the fiber arts and hang out with others with the same interest, connect with the Sinai Embroidery, Crochet, And Knitting group at craftysinai@icahn.mssm.edu

The Library has added two Laptop Docking Stations to the Computer Zone. Library users may now connect their personal laptops and seamlessly start extending/duplicating their screens to a 27" high-definition monitor for more comfortable learning and working. For more information about the docking stations and compatibility, you can check out our FAQ.

This addition was made at the suggestion of the ISMMS Student Subcommittee on Technology & Libraries - thank you for your help and feedback!

The ISMMS Levy Library is delighted to announce our website is being refreshed with new design!

What's New?

• Aligned Look and Feel: The Library homepage now mirrors the style of the school's main website. This cohesive design supports our institutional identity and provides a seamless experience moving between the school and library sites.
• Improved Navigation: We've put the search box at the top and restructured the layout to ensure you find what you need quickly and easily.
• Enhanced Accessibility: The new design is more accessible and fully optimized for mobile devices, ensuring all community members can use it effectively.
• More Direct Links: We added a few more key items to the Popular Tools, Collections, and Services menus.

What Remains the Same?

• Your Essential Links: While the website has undergone a visual transformation, all links to your vital resources and services on pages within the library website, such as research guides, workshops, and interlibrary loans, remain the same.
• The Best Starting Point for Access to Articles, Books and Databases: The Library homepage offers the quickest connection to resources and the Mount Sinai instance of PubMed. For more about login and access methods which transitioned In December to Open Athens, visit https://libguides.mssm.edu/login.

This redesign represents our commitment to enhance your library experience and ensure that our resources are accessible and user-friendly. We encourage you to explore the new homepage and familiarize yourself with the new look and feel.  We would like to thank our colleagues in Mount Sinai’s Marketing and Communication department for supporting these efforts.

You can check out the new website design at: library.mssm.edu 

If you have any questions, please contact us at refdesk@mssm.edu. Enjoy!

Kerry McKee, Director of Access Services
Kris Alpi, Associate Dean of Libraries & Information Sciences

Dear Mount Sinai Community,

The Library team carefully reviews the use of journals, books, databases and knowledge management tools each year to ensure we have the resources Mount Sinai needs for learning, research and clinical care.  There will be a few new or restored resources starting in January as the result of swapping out or cancellation of lesser used resources.  

With the financial challenges facing health care, Mount Sinai has reduced the budget to support library resources for 2024. Based on usage data, costs and contract limitations, we made the difficult decision to stop subscribing to the journals and databases listed at the end of this post. This is the initial list of resources that will not be available online to you starting January 1, 2024.  During 2024, there will be other resources impacted and we will add those to the list as decisions are made.   

We recognize that the loss of immediate online access is an inconvenience, but you can still get the materials you need from the Library by request. Please use our interlibrary loan service (ILL) to request articles you need from any journal at no cost to you. You will typically receive them within 2 business days, rush requesting is available, and we use the data from ILL to make decisions about the need for future subscriptions.  If you do not have an ILL account, please register now so that when you need something, you are ready to request it seamlessly.  

For the databases and tools, below we identify alternatives that you can use or other locations where you can access the resources. If you have any questions, please contact us at library@mssm.edu.  

Hearing from you about how you are impacted by these budget reductions will allow us to prioritize restoring the most needed resources should the budget situation improve.  We welcome partnerships with others that may have funds to support subscriptions to titles that we cannot currently afford.  

If you are having access issues with resources not on this list, please check the blog post Access to Library Resources Evolves in 2024 to see if your issue is a known problem. 

We appreciate your understanding during this challenging time.   

Sincerely yours,  

Kris Alpi, Associate Dean of Libraries and Information Sciences

New Resources starting January 1, 2024

Scriver’s OMMBID:Metabolic and Molecular Bases of Inherited Disease

Journal additions through swapping

• Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Arthroscopy
• Clinics in Chest Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery
• Journal of Hand Surgery
• Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology
• Journal of Nuclear Cardiology
• Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Ophthalmology Glaucoma

Resources stopping / Cancellations as of December 31, 2023

Journals cancelled or swapped

• Chem Catalysis (swapped)
• Edizioni Minerva Medica 
• Emergency Medicine Practice 
• International Angiology 
• International Journal of Neural Systems 
• Joule (swapped)
• Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery 
• Journal of Medical Robotics Research 
• Journal of Personality Disorders 
• Journal of Wound Care 
• One Earth (swapped)
• Optics Letters 
• Physical Review Letters 
• Psychodynamic Psychiatry 
• Trends in Chemistry (swapped)

Publishers where we no longer subscribe to all the journals, but renewed the journals you use the most:

• DeGruyters (we renewed access to four journals:  Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, Journal of Perinatal Medicine, and Reviews in the Neurosciences)
• IOP Press (we renewed access to Physics in Medicine & Biology)
• Karger (we renewed access to eight journals: American Journal of Nephrology, International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, Nephron. Neuroendocrinology, Respiration, Dermatology, Cardiology, Complex Psychiatry
• Royal Society of Chemistry (we renewed access to seven journals:  Biomaterials Science, Chemical Society Reviews, Chemical Communications, Nanoscale, Lab on a Chip, Journal of Materials Chemistry B, Food & Function

For access issues, please check the list at Access to Library Resources Evolves in 2024.

As we step into 2024, the Library is transforming the ways you can access Library-subscribed online resources. A significant part of this transformation is the introduction of OpenAthens, our new authentication tool that provides secure access to Mount Sinai's licensed online resources via single sign-on (SSO) technology.

Accessing Library Resources with OpenAthens

OpenAthens streamlines the login process by providing single sign-on access to a wide range of library resources, allowing you to enter your institutional credentials once to access multiple databases and journals. You can learn more about OpenAthens and how to sign into library resources on our Connect to Resources: OpenAthens Guide at https://libguides.mssm.edu/login/openathens.

Temporary Access Issues

As we integrate OpenAthens, you might encounter issues accessing library resources. If you're facing difficulty in accessing a resource off-site, it might be temporarily be available on-site at Mount Sinai locations or through VPN only. Here are resources where Open Athens access is still in progress and therefore they are currently available on-site or while connected to VPN. This list is updated to reflect the latest changes. You can request that we send you materials from these resources by contacting us at refdesk@mssm.edu. If you have issues with a resource not on this list, please also let us know.

Navigating Changes to Subscriptions

Access issues may also be due to changes in the Library subscriptions as there are several resources which will not be available for direct online access to Mount Sinai in 2024. For the most current information about our subscriptions and access, read about these changes and view the list of impacted resources at: https://libguides.mssm.edu/blog/2024subscriptionchanges.

We're Here to Help

If you're unable to access a resource, please reach out. Our Library team is always ready to assist you in accessing the resources you need for your research, studies and clinical care. Contact us at refdesk@mssm.edu with the title of the resource you are looking for, and we'll work with you to get the information you need.

The Levy Library is excited to announce that starting December 21, 2023 we are changing the sign-in process for users to authenticate for all Library resources from EZ Proxy to OpenAthens, a secure platform integrated with Mount Sinai single sign-on. OpenAthens allows users to access Library subscriptions directly from the publisher websites in addition to the current method of accessing resources through links from the Library website and catalog.

This transition to OpenAthens marks a significant enhancement in accessing our library resources. Library users will now enjoy streamlined access across resource provider websites, simplifying access to online resources with a single login, whether on or off-campus. Once logged in via OpenAthens, users will no longer need to repeat the log in process and will have uninterrupted access to library resources.

A new sign in experience for our users

With a secure platform integrated with Mount Sinai single sign-on, users will be able to authenticate with their Mount Sinai email address. Here's a preview of what users will see when they sign in to access an online resource. Learn more about accessing online resources in the OpenAthens Guide. 

Stay tuned for further information and guidance on utilizing OpenAthens on the launch date. We're excited about the possibilities this change brings to enhance user access to Library resources. 

Dive into the rich tapestry of Mount Sinai's past with complimentary copies of two captivating books! Whether you're a student eager to explore history or a staff member seeking to delve into the remarkable journey of our school and hospital system, these reads are perfect for you. Plus, these books are fantastic gifts too!

How to Get Your Free Copies: Swing by the Levy Library Circulation Services Desk on Annenberg 11 during library hours to grab your complimentary copies. Feel free to grab some extra copies to give as gifts this holiday season!

About the Books

The Mount Sinai Hospital was founded in 1852 as the Jews’ Hospital in the City of New York, but more than a century would pass before a school of medicine was created at Mount Sinai. In Teaching Tomorrow’s Medicine Today, Arthur H. Aufses, Jr., chairman of Mount Sinai's Department of Surgery, and archivist Barbara Niss chronicle the development of the medical school from its origins in the 1960s to the current leadership.

The authors examine the social forces that compelled the world-renowned hospital to remake itself as an academic medical center, revealing the school's departure from and subsequent return to its founders' original vision. In addition to a compelling history of each of Mount Sinai’s departments, Teaching Tomorrow’s Medicine Today describes the school’s methods for providing both graduate or resident training and post-graduate physician education.

Recognizing Mount Sinai’s central mission as a teaching institution, the authors close their account with perspectives of alumni and current students.

On January 15, 1852, nine men representing various Hebrew charitable organizations came together to establish the Jews' Hospital in New York with a vision of offering free medical care to the indigent Hebrews in the City who were unable to provide for themselves during their illness. This was the beginning of The Mount Sinai Hospital.

Now, a century and a half later, This House of Noble Deeds celebrates the scientific and medical achievements of The Mount Sinai Hospital. From its original 45-bed building, the Mount Sinai Medical Center has developed into a state-of-the-art facility comprising a 1200-bed hospital, a major medical school, and a research enterprise with a faculty of almost 3000.

Arthur H. Aufses, Jr. and Barbara J. Niss have identified and documented the most important scientific contributions of Mount Sinai over the past 150 years. They present histories of each major department and division, rich with anecdotes, biographical sketches, and photographs. In addition, they share the fascinating story of the hospital's creation and development, a story that ultimately transcends the parameters of the hospital itself and speaks to the broader matter of Jewish and medical history in New York.

This month we want to recognize the amazing work of our dedicated Levy Library staff for National Medical Librarians Month.  

From providing access to cutting-edge, vetted information resources to helping you learn, our Mount Sinai learners, faculty, and staff can rely on the expertise of our library team. 

• Check out our calendar of events and classes to learn about special topics such as AI in Teaching and Learning, managing and organizing information, evidence-based clinical tools, databases, and more!
• Need a training for your group? Browse through our educational offerings and submit a request for instruction. 
• Consult with librarian experts for your next literature review or evidence synthesis project. 
• Librarians develop knowledge-based library guides on popular topics and research support as well as curate special collections and preserve historical materials in the archives. 

Medical librarians fill a wide breadth of roles such as:

• Teaching health professionals how to access and evaluate information
• Connecting electronic resources and decision tools to electronic health records
• Designing and managing health information websites, Internet blogs, and digital libraries
• Serving on patient safety, quality control, and accreditation committees in their hospitals

A study* in 118 hospitals with more than 16,122 participants found that 95% reported that information provided by a librarian resulted in better-informed clinical decisions. 

Who benefits from library services? Everyone! 

Residents and fellows, faculty, nurses, physician assistants, hospital administration, pharmacists, allied health professionals, and patients!!

Did engaging with a Mount Sinai librarian have a positive impact on you and your work?  We would love to hear about these stories! 

If you have a story you would like to share, please fill out this brief form.

*Marshall, J. G., et al. (2013). The value of library and information services in patient care: results of a multisite study. Journal of the Medical Library Association: JMLA, 101(1), 38–46. 

In response to your ongoing feedback, we are extended our library hours and services once again!

Starting on Monday, September 11, 2023, we are extending our Circulation Services desk hours to 6:00pm so we can continue assisting users with library-related questions and checking out materials.

We are also going to be open later on the weekdays. Our new weekday library hours for the 11th floor will be 7:30am - 12:50am. This means that users will have more time to perform research, study and use our public computers.

Here's our NEW schedule:

• Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 12:50am
• Saturday: 10:00am - 10:50pm
• Sunday: 12:00pm - 10:50pm

Thank you for all your feedback and stayed tuned as we continue to make more improvements based on your responses. 

If you have any questions or feedback about the library spaces, services, or resources, please connect with us by email at: RefDesk@mssm.edu

An update to your book suggestions for the grant-funded collection additions

We have an exciting update to share regarding your book suggestions for our grant-funded collection additions. We are thrilled to inform you that we are moving forward with purchasing the books you recommended. Your valuable input has been essential in shaping our collections!

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Mount Sinai community for submitting suggestions for new titles. Your engagement in this initiative highlights the shared commitment we have to spotlight resources from emerging and historically marginalized voices and promote diverse viewpoints on a variety of topics that play a major role in health. Additionally, we extend our thanks to the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) Region 7 for the Collection Equity Grant* which has made it possible for us to acquire these books.

We will keep you updated on the progress of these new additions, and we anticipate providing another update soon when the books are available to be check out. In the meantime, we encourage you to explore our current library collections.

Thanks again and we look forward to sharing these exciting titles with you in the near future!

Coming soon to our digital or physical shelves:

• The Age of Scientific Wellness: Why the Future of Medicine Is Personalized, Predictive, Data-Rich, and in Your Hands
• Automating Inequality
• Breathtaking: Asthma Care in a Time of Climate Change
• Change your Brain, Change your Life
• Children's Health and the Peril of Climate Change
• Climate Change and the People's Health
• The Creative Arts in Palliative Care
• The Death Gap: How Inequality Kills
• Deep Medicine: How Artificial Intelligence Can Make Healthcare Human Again
• The Drama of DNA: Narrative Genomics
• Extra Life: A Short Story of Living Longer
• The Grant Writing Guide
• Medicine in Art (A Guide to Imagery)
• Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain
• The Nature of Nature
• Seeing Science: How Photography Reveals the Universe
• Self Matters: Creating your Life From the Inside Out
• Take My Hand 
• Therapy Tech : The Digital Transformation of Mental Healthcare
• Treating Trauma in Trans People:  An Intersectional, Phase-Based Approach
• Twice as Hard: The Stories of Black Women Who Fought to Become Physicians, From the Civil War to the 21st Century
• The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming
• Virtual You : How Building Your Virtual Twin will Revolutionize Medicine and Change Your Life
• What is Chat GPT Doing ... And Why Does It Work?
• Your Brain on Art:  How the Arts Transform Us

*NIH Grant Support and Disclaimer:

Developed resources reported in this communication are supported by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH) under cooperative agreement number UG4L M012347. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Your book suggestions welcome for grant-funded collection additions

The Levy Library is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) Region 7 Collection Equity Grant*. This grant provides $2,000 that we will use to purchase materials from emerging and historically marginalized voices and diverse viewpoints on a variety of topics that play a major role in health. 

With your help, we will enhance our Special Topics in Health and Medicine collection which currently offers topics from Graphic Medicine and LGBTQ+ Health, to Managing Mental Health and Women in Medicine.   

We invite you to share recommendations for books that you think should be available for the Mount Sinai community, especially books or topics that reflect your own interests and experiences. We are also seeking suggestions for books to help build three new themes in our collection:

• How medicine and health are portrayed in the arts
• The impact of environmental concerns on individual and collective health
• Growth of artificial intelligence and its impact on health care and outcomes.

Submit your suggestions through our online form or visit the Levy Library on Annenberg 11 to fill out the form in-person by April 30th.  We will review all suggestions and share back with the Mount Sinai community what we acquire for the Library. 

While this grant-funded opportunity invites specific recommendations with a deadline, suggestions to expand the Levy Library collection can be made at any time through our online suggest a purchase form. All suggestions are carefully reviewed considering vendor options and our available funding. 

We appreciate your participation in building your Levy Library’s collection and look forward to your suggestions.  

Thank you for engaging with your Levy Library. 

*NIH Grant Support and Disclaimer:

Developed resources reported in this communication are supported by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH) under cooperative agreement number UG4L M012347. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Get ready to pick up books, print materials, and get help from the Library team even earlier during the week! 

UPDATE 2.13.23: We have since expanded our hours further: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 11:50pm.

We are pleased to announce that the Levy Library hours are expanding and we will be opening earlier on weekdays starting Monday, January 31, 2023. The new hours will be as follows:

• Monday: 7:30am - 10:50pm
• Tuesday: 7:30am - 10:50pm
• Wednesday: 7:30am - 10:50pm
• Thursday: 7:30am -10:50pm
• Friday: 7:30am - 10:50pm
• Saturday: 10:00am - 10:50pm
• Sunday: 12:00pm - 10:50pm

In addition to opening our doors earlier, the Levy Library will also be keeping our Circulation Services desk open until 5:00pm Monday through Friday.

This change is a direct result of the feedback we have received from you, our valued users, and our recent success in filling a number of staffing vacancies. We understand how important it is to have access to our spaces and services at convenient times and we are committed to meeting your needs. We look forward to welcoming you to the library during these new, earlier hours.

If you have any questions or feedback about the library spaces, services, or resources, please connect with us by email at: RefDesk@mssm.edu 

To find the schedule for the Levy Library hours, you can visit the following webpage: https://libguides.mssm.edu/libraryhours

With cases still on the rise in the area, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has designated the city as having a “high” community alert for COVID-19. This triggers some policy changes regarding mask and social distancing requirements for the Mount Sinai Health System.

Effective immediately, masks are now required to be worn in all non-clinical spaces which includes all library spaces and classrooms in the Levy Library, Mount Sinai West Library, and Mount Sinai Morningside Information Commons. This is consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance, which recommends masking in all public spaces in high-community-level areas.

What does this mean?

• Wear a mask in all public study zones and computer area
• Wear a mask when attending a meeting, class, or group study session 
• Wear a mask when using one of the library's public restrooms

You can read more about the current COVID-19 policies for non-clinical spaces HERE.

We thank you for following these policies and doing you part to help keep everyone safe at Mount Sinai!

With the recent decline in COVID-19 cases across New York City, The Levy Library has revised visitation guidelines for our library space. Please understand that these policies may be revised if COVID-19 rates increase or the regulatory environment changes.

VISITING THE LIBRARY

In order to ensure the health and safety of all users and library staff, the following policies are in place:

1. Library Access Policy
   • All users must enter the library with a valid and current Mount Sinai or Icahn School of Medicine ID.
   • If your ID does not work, visit the Mount Sinai Security Office located in the lower level of the Guggenheim Pavilion. 
2. Mask Policy
   • Masks will be optional in all library spaces and locations. Anyone who feels more comfortable continuing to mask may do so. 
3. Social Distancing Policy 
   • We strongly encourage you to maintain a distance of six feet between yourself and others.
4. Hygiene Policy
   • Even if previously done on entering the building or in prior meeting, Hand hygiene with hand sanitizer prior to entry into the room (if no sanitizer is available, the meeting should not occur.)
   • Cleaning and sanitation supplies are available at the security desk. We encourage all individuals to clean their space before/after use. 
5. Food and Drinks Policy
   • No food is allowed in the library at all times.
   • Drinks with lids are allowed.

HOW WE ARE KEEPING YOU SAFE

We all need to be partners in keeping all Mount Sinai spaces safe. To ensure the health and safety of all our users and library staff the following safety measures are in place:

1. The library will be maintaining a strict cleaning schedule, wiping common areas throughout our opening hours.
2. Seats, service counters, bathrooms, elevator buttons, tables and chairs will be cleaned more frequently throughout the day
3. Disinfection supplies will be provided at the Library entrance for patrons who will be using a study table and would like to disinfect their area(s)

If you have a question or would like to make a safety suggestion, please Contact Us.