The UNC Health Science Library serves as a vital hub for students, faculty, and clinicians across the University of North Carolina system. It provides curated collections, expert research support, and modern learning spaces that align with healthcare education and discovery.
Through integrated access to clinical guidelines, biomedical databases, and scholarly publishing tools, the library strengthens teaching, patient care, and population health initiatives across campus and community settings.
| Library Name | Primary Mission | Key Services | Target Users |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNC Health Science Library | Advance health research and education | Evidence-based resources, data support, instructional design | Students, researchers, clinicians, patients |
| Regional Medical Library | Expand access to reliable health information | Mobile resources, community outreach, training | Community members, public health professionals |
| Academic Health Sciences Library | Support curriculum and innovation | Study rooms, consultations, systematic reviews | Faculty, graduate students, interprofessional teams |
Evidence-Based Clinical Resources
UpToDate and Clinical Guidelines
The library provides curated access to point-of-care tools such as UpToDate, along with national and international clinical practice guidelines. These resources help clinicians make faster, more confident decisions at the point of care.
Systematic Review Services
Librarians trained in evidence synthesis support researchers by designing search strategies, managing citation screening, and maintaining documentation for systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Data Management and Research Support
Study Design and Biostatistics Collaboration
From survey design to advanced modeling, the library facilitates connections with biostatisticians and methodologists who help teams plan robust studies and avoid common pitfalls.
Data Curation and Long-Term Preservation
Workspaces, code repositories, and institutional repositories ensure research data are well documented, securely stored, and discoverable long after projects complete.
Educational Innovation and Learning Spaces
Active Learning Classrooms
High-tech learning rooms support team-based learning, simulation debriefs, and interprofessional workshops that mirror real-world clinical environments.
Information Literacy Across the Curriculum
Modules, workshops, and embedded librarianship help students develop critical appraisal skills, literature search strategies, and ethical use of sources.
Community Engagement and Population Health
Outreach and Health Literacy
Public programs, local partnerships, and plain-language resources translate research into actionable insights for community organizations and underserved populations.
Local Data for Planning and Advocacy
Aggregated, de-identified reports and trend analyses support public health officials in identifying priorities and allocating resources effectively.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
- Use clinical decision support tools to improve care quality and efficiency
- Engage librarians early when designing studies or writing systematic reviews
- Leverage secure data storage and documentation for reproducibility
- Participate in workshops to strengthen information literacy and critical appraisal
- Connect with community partners through outreach and local health data initiatives
FAQ
Reader questions
How can I access licensed databases off campus?
Log in through the UNC single sign-on portal or use the library VPN to connect remotely, then select databases from the A-Z list as you normally would on network.
Can librarians help me with systematic review searches?
Yes, librarians offer planning consultations, comprehensive search strategies, and documentation needed for transparent and reproducible systematic reviews.
Are there workshops for students on evidence-based practice?
Regular sessions cover critical appraisal, clinical guideline interpretation, and practical search skills tailored to health sciences curricula.
What support is available for data management plans?
Experts help researchers organize datasets, choose appropriate formats, and meet funder requirements for sharing and preserving research data.