HAM-TMC Library
HAM-TMC Library Welcomes You
Brief History
The Houston Academy of Medicine - Texas Medical Center (HAM-TMC) Library was founded in the Texas Medical Center in 1949. Two existing medical libraries, the Houston Academy of Medicine and Baylor College of Medicine combined their collections to better serve physicians in Harris County and teaching and research programs at Baylor.
The Houston Academy of Medicine brought nearly 18,000 volumes to the 1949 merger, while the Baylor College of Medicine brought almost 16,000 volumes. In 1954 the Library moved from the Roy and Lillie Cullen Building of the Baylor College of Medicine into the new Jesse H. Jones Library Building.
Welcome
The staff of the HAM-TMC Library would like to extend a warm welcome to all new faculty, residents, interns, fellows and students from all the institutions in the Texas Medical Center (TMC). Whether you are a new student or are starting another year, the HAM-TMC Library has much to offer. The Library is dedicated to providing excellent collections and services in support of the research, education and patient care programs of the TMC and the Houston area.
Library collections are available in print and/or electronic formats, currently providing access to
- 9,101 electronic journals
- 172 databases
- 5,167 electronic books
- 220,458 bound journals.
Electronic access is available from library computers, and according to your level of authorization, from other TMC institutions, from home or abroad (see Remote Access below)
General Information
Telephone Numbers
- Main Number - 713.795.4200
- Information Desk - 713.799.7161
- Circulation - 713.799.7147
- Photocopy/ILL - 713.799.7179
- NN/LM SCR - 713.799.7880
Always dial all ten digits when calling the Library
Library Hours
- Monday through Thursday 7 a.m.- 10 p.m.
- Friday 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Sunday 1 p.m. - 8 p.m.
For more Library information, visit http://resource.library.tmc.edu/
Directions and Parking
The Library is located in the heart of the Texas Medical Center at 1133 John Freeman Boulevard. Parking is available underneath the Library in Garage 3 or Garage 4 and costs $10.00 maximum per day.
Location by Floor
- Lower Level: Computer Classroom and Lab, Vending Area, NN/LM SCR Administrative Office, Reference Storage, Study Rooms
- First Floor: Book Stacks, Circulation Desk, Current Journals, Reference Desk, Jesse H. Jones Community Health Information Service, Public Computers, Reference Books
- Second Floor: Bound Journals, McGovern Historical Collection & Research Center, Photocopy/Interlibrary Loan Office, Study Rooms
Library Services and Departments
The Library is open 99 hours a week to provide the following services:
The Circulation Desk issues library cards, checks out books, journals and audiovisuals, supplies photocopy cards for a fee and houses a Core Collection of non-circulating resources. Contact the Circulation Desk at: 713.799.7147 for more information.
Circulation Policies
- Books 2 weeks, 2 renewals
- Audiovisuals 7 days, 2 renewals
- Bound Journals Same day, no renewals
- Unbound Journals 2 hours
- Nursing Journals In-house use only
Fines
- $1.25/item/day
- Fines-Unbound Journals $1.25/item/hour
Fax Service
The Library can send or receive fax correspondence*. The fax number is 713.799.7846. Contact the Circulation Desk for more information 713.799.7147.
Reference Department
Reference Librarians are available 66 hours a week to provide reference assistance to clients needing help with their research, use individual databases, retrieval of electronic journal articles, requests for fee-based literature searches, arrange for group bibliographic instruction sessions and help patients seeking health information. Contact the Information Desk at: 713.799.7161 or reference.librarian@exch.library.tmc.edu
Reference Assistance
- Monday through Saturday 9 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1-5:00 p.m.
- Sundays 1-6:00 p.m.
Ask A Librarian: In person; email reference.librarian@exch.library.tmc.edu; by phone: 713.799.7161
Online Search Requests: In person; email reference.librarian@exch.library.tmc.edu; by phone: 713.799.7161
Outreach to the Texas Medical Center: Call 713.799.7176
Outreach to the NN/LM SCR: Call 713.799.7169
Tours, Orientations and Classes: Call 713.799.7109
Consumer Health: Call 713.799.7183
Public Affairs and Library Publications: Call 713.799.7169
Library Website and Databases
The Library's Web site (http://resource.library.tmc.edu) provides access to the Library’s catalog, PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, UpToDate, PsycInfo, Academic Search Complete, electronic full-text journals, and many other databases and Internet links. Remote access to most electronic resources is available to authorized cardholders.
Computer Classroom
The computer classroom is located on the lower level of the Library. To reserve the classroom, go to http://webeve.library.tmc.edu/ or call 713.799.7106.
The Historical Research Center
Located offsite, serves as a repository for collections documenting health care in Texas, an extensive photograph collection, the Menninger Rare Book Collection in Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis, older Texas medical journals, medical directories, and dissertations, as well as providing reference service and space for researchers on historical and current topics.
Hours - Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 4:45 pm
The John P. McGovern Historical Collections and Research Center
Holds several world-class rare medical book collections and several digital collections, including a database of more than 13,5000 early Texas physicians and a collection of postcards illustrating early Texas medical clinics and hospitals. (http://mcgovern.library.tmc.edu)
Hours
Monday through Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Closed from 12:00 - 1:00
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Department
Books, articles and other materials not available at the Library can be borrowed from other libraries throughout the country for a fee. Fee-based photocopying from Library-held materials to individuals and other libraries is available. Self-serve photocopiers (located on the 1st and 2nd floors) cost $.25/page cash or $.20/page on a copy card.
Library users can register using the department's online form at: (http://illiadw.library.tmc.edu/). Filling out the registration form immediately enables you to make your photocopy/ILL requests online. Contact the Interlibrary Department directly at: 713.799.7179 or tmcariel@exch.library.tmc.edu.
Computers & Photocopiers
All public computers are equipped with Internet access and a variety of software including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint. Computers are located on the lower and first level of the library. All computers are attached to printers and there is a $.20/page on copy card. Photocopiers are available on the first and second floors. There is a $.20/page fee for copy cards and $.25/page cash to print in black and white and a $.50/page charge to print in color.
The Computer Lab Hours
- Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
- Friday 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
- Sunday 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
How to apply for Library cards
Faculty, students and staff from all Governing and Supporting institutions of the Texas Medical Center, as well as members of Harris County Medical Society, are eligible for library cards. Fee-based associate memberships are available to individuals and institutions not affiliated with the Texas Medical Center. Health care providers who are not cardholders can receive some services through our affiliation with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine South Central Region. For more information, or to obtain a Library card, please contact the Circulation Desk at 713.799.7147 or download and complete the library card application
Remote Access
Remote access allows registered users to access HAM-TMC Library electronic journals and databases from outside the library building. Starting September 1, 2009, all library users will be required to log in with Remote Access usernames and passwords. Registration usually takes just a few minutes.
Regional Medical Library
Under contract with the National Library of Medicine, the HAM-TMC Library serves as the Regional Medical Library for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine South Central Region (NN/LM SCR). The NN/LM SCR's mission is to advance the progress of medicine and improve public health by providing all health professionals in the South Central Region (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) with equal access to biomedical information. Improving the public's access to information, within the SCR, will enable healthcare providers and consumers to make informed healthcare decisions. The NN/LM SCR has 891 Network members, ranging from hospitals and academic medical libraries to public libraries and health-focused, community-based organizations.
Study Rooms
The Library has study rooms available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are study carrels, tables and lounge seating on all floors of the Library.
Library Usage Policy
The Library welcomes all persons interested in obtaining health-related information. As a measure of added client and staff security, the Library asks that you display your institution-distributed badge at all times when visiting the Library. If you do not have an institutional affiliation, please visit the Circulation Desk for information regarding membership. Patients and caregivers can obtain a free time-limited library card.
Page updated on 09.10.2008
