About the Health Sciences Library
At the Health Sciences Library, we power curiosity, discovery, and connection. We take a collaborative approach, bringing our expertise, engagement, critical content, and cutting edge technologies to prepare the next generation of health care providers. Together we make the difference.
What we do
The University of Minnesota Health Sciences Libraries include the contemporary Health Sciences Library and the Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine, which houses a renowned collection of over 73,000 rare books and 8,000 artifacts representing health, medicine, and the biological sciences from 1430 to 1945.
The work of the Department is realized through the deep disciplinary expertise of its staff, who bring specialized knowledge related to evidence-based practice, systematic reviews and evidence synthesis, and the application of the history of biology and health to current practices, along with broad skills related to information literacy and evidence-based practice.
Our staff bring forward an overarching programmatic vision in alignment with the research, teaching, learning, clinical, and interprofessional information needs of the six schools and colleges of the Health Sciences across the Twin Cities, Duluth, Rochester, and St. Cloud campuses. Additional liaison responsibilities include the Program in the History of Science and Technology, a department within the College of Science and Engineering.
Our work, in action

Collections from the Visible Heart Laboratories now in circulation
As with all good partnerships, the path towards relationship-building is marked by moments of opportunity, shared interests, and perfect timing. This is the story of the partnership between the Visible Heart® Laboratories (VHL) and the Health Sciences Library (HSL), which has brought new collections to the library and greater access to the VHL’s exceptional resources.

HSL Monthly Book Display: Dentistry
HSL Monthly Book Displays Explore the actively growing and vibrant collections at the Health Sciences…

HSL Monthly Book Display: Pride
HSL Monthly Book Displays Explore the actively growing and vibrant collections at the Health Sciences…
Annual reports
Find high-level highlights, facts, and figures, and learn more about our innovative projects through our annual reports.
Impact and Initiatives of the Health Sciences Libraries: July 2023 - June 2024

Our HSL Annual Report from 2023-2024 highlights how the Health Sciences are joining in partnership with colleagues from across the health sciences to reinforce learning, help students understand the patient experience, and contribute to health science research and evolving practices.
Previous annual reports
HSL Annual Report: 2021-2023

HSL Annual Report: 2019-2021

By the numbers
Course readings
7,405
We made 7,405 course readings available to 492 health sciences courses.
Course-integrated instruction sessions
199
We reached 6,247 students in 199 courses, with integration into Nursing Theory and Research, Molecules to Medicines, Epidemiological Methods, GOALe, and courses across the health sciences.
3D printer filament
16 Miles
Our 3D printers used 16 miles of filament to create everything from custom adaptive equipment to 3D models of patient scans for surgical planning.
Student savings
$1.17 Million
Affordable content provided by the Libraries offered health sciences students the opportunity to save over a million dollars.
Publications and presentations
31
Our librarians and curators partnered with faculty to publish high impact studies that advance health practice on broad topics including pediatric obesity, oral health, antibiotics in surface water, and more!
Monthly visits
40,000
In just one month, we provided spaces (including a NEW wellness room), information resources, technology, and expertise to 40,000 in-person visitors (April 2024).
Library staff
Find your librarian Connect with a librarian that has expertise in your subject area. Browse all staff Contact information for all members Health Sciences Library's team.Administration

Erinn Aspinall
Director, Health Sciences Libraries
Libraries Administration
[email protected]
612-626-7039

Steven Bleau
Makerspace Lab Manager
Health Sciences
[email protected]

Carmen Elwell
Access & Information Services Manager
Health Sciences
[email protected]
612-624-2142

Charlie Heinz
Academic Technologist and VR Program Lead
[email protected]

Lois Hendrickson
Curator
Wangensteen Historical Library
[email protected]
612-626-6881
Subject Librarian for: History of Health and Medicine

Lisa McGuire
Associate Director, Education & Research Services
Health Sciences
[email protected]
612-626-3643
Job Opportunities
Professional Opportunities Find all professional job opportunities from across the University of Minnesota Libraries. The University of Minnesota is an Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer. Student jobs The University of Minnesota Libraries hires hundreds of students in many types of jobs all over campus. Find current student job openings and sign up for updates on new job openings.Giving opportunities
The Health Sciences Libraries work collaboratively to advance interprofessional education through our expertise, engagement, critical content, and cutting edge technologies that advance teaching, learning, and research, and care.
Your gift to the Health Sciences Libraries helps us invest in collections, services, technology, spaces, programing, and initiatives that advance health practice and prepare the next generation of health providers.
Together we make the difference.


