The Health Sciences and Human Services Library (HSHSL) serves as the knowledge and research hub of the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). Through innovative services, expert support, and access to physical and digital resources, the library advances education, research, clinical practice, and scholarship across the UMB community.
As research and technology continue to evolve, additional support is essential to sustain and expand the services, programs, and resources that help UMB thrive.
Innovation and Collaboration Innovation and collaboration define the HSHSL. From research support and curricular integration to health literacy initiatives and efforts to combat misinformation, the library is recognized as a leader among health sciences libraries.
Local, Regional, and National Impact
For more than four decades, the HSHSL has served as one of seven Regional Medical Libraries for the National Library of Medicine. Through this partnership, the library has expanded its impact across West Baltimore, Maryland, the region, and beyond.
Supporting Open Access and Early Career Researchers Expanding support for initiatives like Open Access publishing at UMB increases access to scholarship while helping early career researchers share their work with a wider audience.
Preserving UMB's Scholarship and History
The UMB Digital Archive preserves reports, publications, videos, posters, and other materials that might otherwise be lost over time. Building on this foundation, the HSHSL is expanding support for FAIR data principles - making research data findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable - while helping researchers meet federal data-sharing requirements.
Data, Innovation, and Learning The Center for Data and Bioinformation Services, Presentation Practice Studio, and innovation services provide UMB students, faculty, and researchers with resources that support learning, discovery, and innovation. From data visualization, analysis, and access to public data resources, to recording and rehearsing presentations, to hands-on prototyping and experimentation, the library offers expertise, technology, and collaborative spaces that enhance research and education.
Equipping the Library for the Future More than 140,000 visitors use the HSHSL each year. Continued investment is essential to maintain and improve library spaces, technology, and infrastructure, ensuring the facility remains accessible, welcoming, and responsive to future needs.
Investing in People The HSHSL's greatest strength is its faculty and staff. Their expertise supports education, research, grants, institutional review boards, digital resources, and daily information needs across the university. Ongoing professional development ensures they continue to grow and meet the changing demands of research, education, and health care.
The cost of operating a modern library continues to rise while public funding becomes more limited. Core funding largely supports essential collections and operations, leaving little flexibility for new initiatives.
Your support helps sustain the work of HSHSL and creates opportunities that will benefit our community for years to come.
Making a gift to the Health Sciences & Human Services Library via the University's Giving Website is easy and safe. Be sure to specify the Health Sciences and Human Services Library as the fund to receive your support.
Make Your Gift Offline
You may send a check, made payable to: University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation, Inc.
Send to:
Library Dean
Health Sciences & Human Services Library
601 West Lombard Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-1512
Established during the HSHSL's 200th anniversary, this unrestricted fund supports emerging needs and opportunities, including special events, furnishings, technology enhancements, publication support for early career researchers, and other priorities not covered by state funding.
Established by Dr. William Kinnard, former dean of the School of Pharmacy, this fund supports the library's leisure reading collection, including current magazines and popular titles that promote wellness and balance for students, faculty, and staff.
Created by longtime HSHSL supporter Dr. Charlotte Ferencz, this fund advances the digitization of library collections, expanding public access to valuable resources worldwide.
Established by Dr. Theodore Woodward, whose name honors the HSHSL Historical Collections Suite, this flexible fund allows the library to address emerging priorities and opportunities.
Established through the generosity of the Helena Foundation and Drs. James and Sylvia Earl, this fund supports innovative technologies that advance research, education, and clinical care.
Created by retired Library Dean M.J. Tooey and husband, Ron Huffman, this endowment supports professional development for HSHSL faculty and staff and funds programs that strengthen learning, collaboration, and excellence across the university community.
