Biomedical Library (English version)

Librarian: Dr.ssa Elena Roncastri

The Biomedical library of the VicenzaHospital was founded in 2002 by Prof. Silvio Garattini, director of the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacologic research in Milano, Italy.

The library specializes in the area of biomedical research and is open to all personnel of the Vicenza hospital, to all students enrolled in the nursing program of the VeronaUniversity while continuing their studies at the Vicenza medical facility and to all physicians and students from health care facilities and universities.

Updating of the library resources to include both printed and electronic matter, as well as the planning of meetings and seminars are activities closely supervised and directed by the library Commission.

The library is located on the premises of the VicenzaCityHospital in the Chiostro area.

Several aspect of the library:

• It collaborates closely with the Vicenza Biblioteca Civica Bertoliana; a member of this prestigious library is also on the biomedical library commision
• It is a member of the AREAS-CCI ONLUS (Associazione per la Ricerca sull'Efficacia dell'Assistenza Sanitaria- Centro Cochrane Italiano; Center for the study of the efficacy of medical services -Italian chapter of the Cochrane group)
• Is a partner of the "Friends of the Library" of the TrinityCollege, Dublin, Ireland
• Supports the initiatives of the HAI association (Health Action International) and the ISDB (International Society of Drug Bulletins) aimed at educating both health care professionals as well as the general public on the use of essential drugs

The main focus of this facility is to constantly update and maintain the scientific materials as well as assist, facilitate and promote library research through the presence of competent staff in an appropriate environment with all the latest digital and non-digital support.

In order to accomplish its objectives, the biomedical library offers the following services:

• Four PC with Internet access and on-line access to a catalog of related biomedical information
• An up to date collection of relevant trade journals and publications available in both the paper and digital formats
• Access to numerous biomedical data banks from within the library or from various locations on the hospital premises
• Personnel on-site to assist the user with all research matters
• Assistance with locating and obtaining biomedical publications to also include those not available on-site

Current project: acquisition of a small collection of volumes relating to the topic of bioethics.

(information last update: July 2010)