Biology Library
General Information |
Collections & Resources
|
Services & Facilities
|
Addresses & Phone Numbers
Life Sciences Building, Level 2 & 3 Washington University |
General Information
What's New
- This week's New Books
- This week's New Journals in Print
- Biology Library News [blog format]; Biology Library News [web page format]
- Sign up for the Becker Medical Library News RSS feeds.
- What's New at the Washington University Libraries
- Sci-Tech Library Newsletter, monthly newsletter produced by Stephanie Bianchi, National Science Foundation Library
- Intute: Health & Life Sciences: New Resources | Intute: Environment: New Resources
- Academic Info: What's New - web resources in all disciplines
Hours
Usual hours during fall and spring semesters:
| Monday - Thursday | 8:30am - 6:30pm | |
| Friday | 8:30am - 5:00pm | |
| Saturday | closed | |
| Sunday | 1:00pm - 5:00pm | |
| Online journals and databases available 24/7. | ||
Holiday, intersession, summer and special hours are posted in the library. Telephone (314/935-5405) to verify hours. Only authorized after-hours users may use the library after-hours.
Location of the WU Biology Library
Locations within the Library
Map with clickable locations and descriptions
Life Sciences Building, 2nd floor:
Biology Library Book Return Located at the main campus entrance to Rebstock Hall. You may return Biology Library books to any Danforth campus library location. Also there is a "drive up" book return location just north of Olin Library on Throop Drive. |
Upstairs (Life Sciences Building, 3rd floor):
 Entrance to Goldfarb Plant Growth Facility and the Life Sciences Building (View from the Erna Eisendrath Garden) |
Collections & Resources
Collection
The Biology Library contains materials relating to biochemistry, botany, cytology, developmental biology, genetics, physiology, and zoology. Our collection supports the research and teaching interests of the members of the Biology Dept. and the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences.
Major portions of our collections and services are available in the Libraries' webpages, for example:
- Research Guides
- Library Catalog
- Library Homepage
- ERes; Electronic Reserves
- Fulltext Electronic Journal Holdings; this information is also available in the Catalog
Relevant materials may also be found at other campus libraries, such as Olin Library (Psychology, Engineering, Anthropology, etc.) and the Chemistry Library. We do NOT collect deeply in some subject areas, such as taxonomic botany and clinical medicine, because researchers may use two very strong collections nearby:
- Missouri Botanical Garden Library
- Bernard Becker Medical Library, (Washington Univ. School of Medicine)
The books and journals held in the Biology Library are listed in the library catalog. Most journal volumes before 1975 are at West Campus Library; more journal volumes which are available fulltext online are at West Campus; this information is noted in the catalog. Selected e-journals are also listed in Biology or Medical Fulltext Sources.
Since the MOBIUS Catalog includes local libraries (University of Missouri-St.Louis and Saint Louis University, and others), it is often valuable to search. Interlibrary borrowing, using the REQUEST feature in the catalog, is easy for these local institutions. More information on Mobius request. Catalogs of other libraries are also available for consultation.
BioNews includes library news, tips, new books, etc. A monthly summary is emailed to the Biology Department distribution list and others by request. To be added to our mailing list, send your name and email address to biology@wumail.wustl.edu.
Each semester many items are put on Reserve.
Services & Facilities
Access & Circulation Policies
A current Washington University ID card or courtesy card is required for borrowing items. Faculty, staff and students from Mobius libraries may also borrow items.
Loan periods for most books
- Faculty, 90 days
- Graduate students, 60 days
- Undergraduate students, 4 weeks
- Courtesy users, 4 weeks
Other materials for all borrowers
- Review serials, 2 weeks
- Bound journals, 2 hours
- Bound journals at West Campus, 1 week
- Reference books & Indexes, 2 days
Borrowers are responsible for monitoring due dates and renewing or returning items on time. Overdue and other notices are usually sent by email, so students should be sure the registrar/SIS record includes an email address. Other library users should keep the library informed about a current email address, if available.
Renewals Books may be renewed unless recalled by another user. Borrowed materials may be recalled after two weeks. Biology Library books may be renewed in several ways:
- do it yourself via My Catalog.
- in person at any library circulation desk - bring the books or information about the items you wish to renew
- by email to biology@wumail.wustl.edu. Renewal requests should include your name, WU ID number, classification (faculty, grad student, etc.), a way to contact you, and the bar code numbers and call numbers of the materials you would like to renew.
- by telephone (935-5405), if we are not too busy helping people in the library. Please request renewal of course reserve materials either in person or by telephone.
Overdue fines accrue at the rate of 20 cents per day, per item. Fines for overdue recalled materials accrue at the rate of 40 cents per day, per item. Fines for Reserve items may be considerably higher.
Recalls: A book may be recalled for another borrower after it has been on loan for a minimum of two weeks. Recalled items may be due earlier than the original due dates. Books needed for reserve are recalled immediately. To request an item, first find in in the Catalog. [Information about requesting an item]
Lost books and replacement charges: A borrower who fails to return a book after the second overdue notice has been sent may be charged for replacement. In addition, borrowing privileges will be suspended. Overdue fines are waived when a replacement charge for the lost book has been paid. Borrowers who have lost books will be charged for their replacement.
A non-refundable $15.00 replacement fee is charged in addition to the current price of the edition lost. If the book is subsequently found, the price of the book will be refunded.
Students' library charges and fines are part of the University Accounting and Holds System.
Reserves
Course reserve materials, including books, photocopies, personal copies, etc., are available at the Biology Library Service Desk. Lists for each course are available in the Catalog. More info on viewing course lectures.
Biology Senior Honors Theses, 2000-present, are kept on reserve. They are available for 2-day loan.
Vertical File items are also listed as being located in Biology Reserve. To browse vertical file items in the Catalog, do a keyword search for "vertical file" in Location: Biology Library.
Most reserve materials are loaned for two hours. Some materials may be checked out overnight one hour before closing and must be returned promptly. Overnight use may be reserved in advance at the Service Desk or by telephone (935-5405). The fine for overdue reserved materials is 30 cents per hour.
Some course materials are available from the Biology Courses Online area of the Natural Sciences Learning Center server instead of or in addition to being on reserve at the Biology Library.
Instructions for faculty who want to request items be put on reserve for their classes.
Reference
Library staff are available to assist users. Please ask at the Service Desk or call 935-5405 for assistance. Electronic alternatives include the following:
- Ask us!
- Submit a suggestion using the library's electronic suggestion box
- Send an email to biology@wumail.wustl.edu. Be sure to include a return email address or local phone number.
Contact Ruth Lewis, Biology Librarian at 935-4819 or email to rlewis@wustl.edu or in person.
- to ask a question
- to schedule instruction about library resources for a class
- to request a search or help with searching. [Online database searching is offered by appointment, usually without charge for WU students, faculty, and staff.]
- to suggest or request a book or journal be acquired for the library
- for library help, orientation, questions, complaints or suggestions
- to make an appointment for any of these
Interlibrary Loan
There are many options for requesting unavailable books and journal articles. These services are for Washington University students, faculty and staff ONLY.
Equipment & Computers
Photocopiers
Public photocopier is available in Life Sciences Building, level 3.
- Coin-operation; 15 cents per page. Limited change is available at the service desk. Large bills can be changed at machines in Olin Library or the bank in Mallinckrodt Center.
- Card-operation; 12.5 cents per page; the closest place to purchase copy cards or add funds is the Card Machines in Olin Library. Copy cards can be charged to University Accounts. These same cards can be used to pay for visitor printing when we begin to charge for printing.
- Problems? Please report problems with machine operation at the service desk. Problems with copy card balances are usually referred to the Circulation Dept. at Olin Library. For more information see Photocopying.
Another photocopier is available in the library for Biology Dept. personnel who have account numbers. See #13 on map. Researchers in other W.U. departments who need to do extensive photocopying may wish to arrange a charge account for this machine. For more information contact Ivana Medich in the Biology Office: email; telephone: 935-4445.
Computers and Printing
Workstations have Internet access, Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, etc.) and connection to various printers. Logon is required; instructions are posted at each workstation.
Library Patron Computing Handbook
To print in the biology library using a PHOTOCOPY CARD, select the printer labeled "Copycard for Color or BW". Note: Although color printing is available, the default is B&W; always check "preferences" before submitting your print job to be sure color and duplex selection is what you want. Then go to the Print Release Station, logon and release your print job. The Print Release Station is located on Level 2, near the public printer.
To print in the biology library using your CAMPUS ACCOUNT, select the printer "Print with Campus AccountB." Note: Although color printing is available, the default is B&W; always check "preferences" before submitting your print job to be sure color and duplex selection is what you want.
If you prefer, you may select printers at Olin or other departmental libraries, labeled "Black and White shared printers" or "Olin Level 1 Hi Speed." For more information about printing, see Printing FAQ.
Workstations are available in many other campus locations, such as, the Natural Sciences Learning Center Computer Lab, Life Sciences Building, ground floor, (directly below the Biology Library), the Computer Services in campus Libraries, Arts and Sciences Computing, and at Becker Medical Library.
Wireless access is available throughout the Biology Library. For additional information see About Computer Services - Wireless section
Group Study
The Biology Library is fairly noisy space at times. Nevertheless, we try to keep it as quiet as possible and discourage group study in the library. Life Sciences 202/202A, adjacent to the library, is available when not in use as a classroom or seminar room. Ask at the Service Desk if the door is locked. Scheduling of Life Sciences 202/202A is handled in the Biology Dept. Office (telephone: 935-6881), so library staff do not know availability in advance. The Natural Sciences Learning Center, located on the ground floor of the Life Sciences Building, below the library, has group study/tutorial rooms.
After-hours use of the library
Faculty, postdoc researchers, and graduate students in the Biology Dept. may apply in person at the service desk or may use this request form. (Other individuals may apply for access for a specific time period, in cases of unusual need.} Afterhours circulation forms are available at the Service Desk. Journals and reserve materials should not be borrowed afterhours. More information about after-hours use of the biology library