Library
The AOMA library is a specialty library focusing primarily on the field of acupuncture and Oriental medicine and select biomedical research. It provides library patrons with access to and use of the library collections and learning/information resources. Support is supplied in a number of ways including reference services, electronic databases, and circulation services.
The library is staffed by a fulltime professional librarian who holds a graduate degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Texas, an American Library Association accredited institution. There are also several student workers who provide part-time clerical and circulation support in the evenings and on Saturday. These library staff members are all currently enrolled students and are able to provide valuable input concerning the selection of resources that support the needs of the student body and practitioners in the field. The training and experience of the library staff is an asset to the AOMA community and encourages successful use of the library’s resources.
The library maintains a published list of user policies which are available in the student and faculty handbooks. Policies are reviewed annually by the librarian and the members of the AOMA Library Committee.
AOMA maintains library resources on both Oriental and Western medicine. Nearly 6,000 Oriental Medical books, journals, videos, CDs and DVDs are available for use. In addition to our library’s database, two subscription database contracts provide our students with access to the most current literature available. The EBSCO database was added in January 2006 and includes eight medical databases (the most notable being Alt Health Watch, Biomedical Reference Collection, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Health Business and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews). This represents a total of 848 journals and professional medical publications. With this database, the library significantly increased its Western and biomedical periodical holdings. Students and faculty have access both on and off campus through use of the AOMA password privileges.
The second database, HerbMedPro, is sponsored by the American Botanical Council. It provides access via hyperlink to the scientific data underlying the use of herbs for health.
Two unique components of the library enrich AOMA’s acupuncture and Oriental medicine program focus. Of special note is the library’s collection of original Chinese language medical research journals and DVDs (565), which date from 1981. Also, the library houses a collection of more than 300 individual Chinese herbs. Student visual identification skills are enhanced through the opportunity to experience the many different properties of the herbs.
There are computer workstations in the Library that are available to students during regular Library hours. Students are welcome to use the Library as a quiet place to study, write papers, or just take a break between classes.
Registered, matriculating students, faculty, staff, and advisory board members may use the library free of charge. Alumni may use the library for the first year after their graduation for free; after that time they may have circulation privileged for $10.00 a year. Library circulation privileges may be purchased by the members of the general public for an annual fee of $25. The AOMA Library is also considered a “reading library” which means that the general public can utilize the library’s resources within the library free of charge.
Library Hours
The library is open 52 weeks a year. It is closed on Sunday and major holidays. The library is open a total of 57 hours each week, Monday through Saturday, during the regular academic terms. The library operates on a reduced 40 hour schedule (9 AM-5 PM, Monday-Friday) during break weeks.
Do you have any questions? Email or call us at (512) 492-3032 (Toll-free (800) 824-9987, ext. 232)