A Message From the Dean of Libraries & Academic Innovation (LAI) and of the Health Sciences Schools
Beginning on September 28, 2026, Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library will join with Gelman, Eckles, and VSTC Libraries to become part of the Libraries and Academic Innovation unit.
The main thing to know about this change is that you will not experience any changes in how you access library services at this time. You should continue to use the library and continue to work with the librarians as you always have. Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library and GW Libraries and Academic Innovation both share their collections campuswide so users have access to e-resources via both websites.
We have come to this decision after a great deal of deliberation and following input from the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Nursing, and Milken Institute School of Public Health communities. This new administrative unit will continue to provide excellence in library and academic services while finding new efficiencies and, eventually, streamlining the user experience for those doing interdisciplinary work.
If you have additional questions, please contact gelman@gwu.edu or himmelfarb@gwu.edu. Both can assist you.
Andrew W. Artenstein
Interim Vice President for Health Affairs
Interim Dean, School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Kelly A. Gebo
Michael and Lori Milken Dean,
Milken Institute School of Public Health
Geneva Henry
Dean of Libraries and Academic Innovation
Susan Kelly-Weeder
Dean, School of Nursing
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library joining Libraries and Academic Innovation (LAI)?
Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library is joining Libraries and Academic Innovation (LAI) to create a unified administrative structure that supports excellence in library and academic services. While both units have long shared collections campuswide to provide access to e-resources across their respective websites, bringing them under a single organization helps identify new operational efficiencies and streamline the user experience for students, faculty, and researchers engaged in interdisciplinary work.
Will everyone now have physical access to Himmelfarb Library?
No, only users from the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, and School of Nursing will continue to have physical access to Himmelfarb Library. Users from all other schools will not have physical access to Himmelfarb Library unless there is a research-related need for access. All GW faculty, staff, and students will continue to have access to Gelman, Eckles and VSTC Libraries.
Why is Burns Law Library not a part of Libraries and Academic Innovation?
Burns Library is not included because law school accreditation requires the Director of the law library to report directly to the dean of the law school. Burns, Himmelfarb and LAI have always had a collaborative relationship and that continues as it has in the past.
How do I access library services and resources now?
You should continue to access the libraries in the same way you always have. Users from the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, and School of Nursing will continue to have physical access to Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library and should continue to use their services for things like research consultations with a librarian, regular borrowing, and Interlibrary and Consortium Loan.
Users from all other schools, as well as non-school units, can continue to access services through Gelman, Eckles, and VSTC including research consultations with a librarian, regular borrowing, Interlibrary and Consortium Loan.
Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library and GW Libraries and Academic Innovation both share their collections campuswide so users have access to e-resources via both websites.
If you have questions or are confused about library services or resources, please contact gelman@gwu.edu or himmelfarb@gwu.edu. Either can assist you.
Will I lose access to any services, resources, or librarians?
No. Users will continue to have access to the specialized knowledge of all Gelman, Himmelfarb, Eckles, and VSTC librarians and staff. Resource availability will not change.
Are layoffs planned as part of this change?
No layoffs are planned as part of this change.
