Robert B. Greenblatt, M.D. Library

Robert B. Greenblatt, M.D. Library is the primary health sciences library serving Augusta University and its affiliated Medical College of Georgia. Located in Augusta, Georgia, it functions as a critical hub for biomedical research, clinical information, and medical education across the University System of Georgia. The library provides extensive collections and specialized services to support students, faculty, researchers, and healthcare professionals throughout the region.

History and namesake

The library was formally dedicated in 1972, honoring the legacy of Robert B. Greenblatt, a pioneering endocrinologist and longtime chairman of the Department of Endocrinology at the Medical College of Georgia. Dr. Greenblatt was a renowned researcher in the fields of reproductive endocrinology and hormone therapy, contributing significantly to the understanding of menopause and infertility. His career was closely associated with the growth of the Medical College of Georgia, and the library's naming recognizes his enduring impact on medical education and research at the institution. The facility has evolved alongside the university, expanding its role to support the integrated health sciences campus now known as Augusta University.

Collections and resources

The library maintains a comprehensive collection focused on the health sciences, including extensive holdings in medicine, nursing, allied health, and biomedical research. Its resources encompass a vast array of print and electronic materials, such as scholarly journals, textbooks, clinical guidelines, and systematic reviews. Key electronic resources include major databases like PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science, providing access to the global biomedical literature. Special collections may include historical medical texts and archives related to the Medical College of Georgia and the history of medicine in the American South.

Services and facilities

The library offers a wide range of services designed to meet the needs of its academic and clinical communities. These include expert reference and research assistance, literature search support, and instruction in information literacy. Facilities typically feature quiet study areas, group collaboration rooms, computer workstations, and technology for accessing digital resources. The library also provides crucial services like interlibrary loan through networks such as the National Library of Medicine and GALILEO, ensuring access to materials beyond its immediate collections. Additional support for systematic review methodologies and data management is often available.

Role in medical education

As an integral component of Augusta University, the library plays a vital role in the curriculum of the Medical College of Georgia and other health professions colleges. It actively supports problem-based learning, evidence-based practice, and research initiatives across disciplines such as medicine, dentistry, and nursing. Librarians frequently collaborate with faculty to teach critical appraisal of medical literature and effective use of resources like UpToDate and DynaMed. This direct integration into the educational mission helps cultivate the research skills essential for future physicians, scientists, and healthcare providers trained within the University System of Georgia.

Governance and administration

The library operates under the administrative umbrella of Augusta University, which is part of the broader University System of Georgia. Its governance involves library deans or directors who report to central university administration, often aligning with the office of the Provost or the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. Policy and strategic direction are developed in coordination with university leadership, the Medical College of Georgia, and other health sciences units. Funding and operational decisions are integrated into the budgetary processes of Augusta University, ensuring the library's services align with the institution's academic and research priorities.