Navigating The UNM Health Sciences Library: A Complete Guide To HSLIC Resources, Access, And Clinical Tools For 2026

The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center (HSLIC), located on the UNM North Campus in Albuquerque, serves as the primary hub for biomedical literature, research informatics, and clinical decision support for the UNM Health Sciences Center (HSC). This guide covers the physical amenities, digital database access, borrowing policies, and specialized research support services available throughout the 2026 academic and clinical terms.

Physical Access and Facility Operations at the UNM North Campus

Located at 915 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131, HSLIC is strategically positioned near the UNM Hospital (UNMH) complex and the basic science research buildings. This proximity makes it a critical daily stop for medical students, pharmacy and nursing candidates, clinical residents, faculty, and working healthcare professionals.

Building Access and Security Protocols

To maintain a secure study and research environment, HSLIC enforces tiered physical access policies.

• HSC Affiliate Access: UNM Health Sciences students, faculty, staff, and hospital clinical staff enjoy extended hours via badge-tap entry systems. A valid UNM HSC badge is required at all security checkpoints, particularly during late-night and weekend study blocks.
• Public and Guest Access: New Mexico residents and visiting health professionals can access the facility during designated guest hours. Visitors must register at the front desk with a valid government-issued photo ID.
• Collaborative and Individual Study Spaces: The facility offers reservable group study rooms equipped with integrated display monitors, whiteboards, and high-speed Wi-Fi (UNM Lobo Wi-Fi and Eduroam). Dedicated quiet floors are strictly enforced to facilitate high-concentration study.

Specialized Hardware and On-Site Technology

The physical library contains advanced computing labs, including workstations pre-loaded with specialized statistical and bioinformatics software such as SAS, SPSS, RStudio, and NVivo. Additionally, the facility features 3D printing resources and virtual reality (VR) anatomy stations designed to help clinical students visualize complex anatomical structures ahead of surgical rotations or board examinations.

Digital Ecosystem and Database Subscriptions: Clinical Decisions and Academic Research

The digital footprint of the UNM Health Sciences Library provides remote and on-campus access to an extensive collection of biomedical literature. Through institutional licensing, HSLIC ensures that researchers and clinicians have immediate access to evidence-based medicine resources.

Core Database Integrations

HSLIC manages direct, authenticated pathways to global clinical databases. Users searching via the custom UNM-authenticated portals receive full-text links integrated with the library's institutional subscriptions.

• PubMed (UNM Custom LinkOut): Enables researchers to search millions of citations while displaying the "Find It @ UNM" button, which instantly connects the user to licensed full-text PDF files or auto-fills an interlibrary loan request.
• ClinicalKey: A comprehensive clinical search engine that provides access to Elsevier's medical and surgical books, journals, procedural videos, and drug monographs.
• UpToDate and DynaMed: Point-of-care clinical decision support tools. When accessed through the HSLIC network, clinicians can register for personal mobile accounts, allowing them to earn continuing medical education (CME) credits while conducting routine clinical queries on mobile devices.
• CINAHL Complete: The premier research tool for nursing and allied health professionals, offering indexing for thousands of journals with full-text coverage dating back decades.
• Embase: An essential database for systematic reviews and pharmacological research, offering deep coverage of drug adverse effects, medical devices, and toxicology.

Comparative Analysis of Core Databases and Access Rights

The following table compares the primary databases licensed by HSLIC, outlining their primary use cases, remote access capabilities, and verification requirements for 2026.

Specialized Informatics and Research Support Services

In addition to serving as a repository of knowledge, HSLIC acts as an active partner in the UNM Health Sciences research enterprise. Specialized faculty librarians and informatics experts provide direct support to advance academic publishing and federal grant compliance.

Systematic Review Consultation Services

For research teams undertaking systematic reviews, scoping reviews, or meta-analyses, HSLIC provides structured consultation. Library specialists assist in drafting rigorous search protocols, translating search strings across multiple databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library), managing duplicate citations via Covidence, and documenting search methodologies to satisfy PRISMA guidelines.

NIH Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Compliance

Following federal mandates regarding open science, HSLIC provides dedicated support for researchers navigating NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan requirements. Library consultants help write compliant DMS plans for grant submissions, assist in identifying appropriate public or institutional data repositories, and advise on metadata standards to ensure data is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR principles).

Scholarly Communications and Citation Management

The library supports academic publishing by advising on copyright issues, identifying open-access publishing models, and warning against predatory publishers. HSLIC maintains institutional access and training for major citation management tools.

Citation Management Best Practices

Tool Selection Faculty and students are encouraged to use EndNote or Zotero. EndNote is highly recommended for large-scale systematic reviews, while Zotero is favored for collaborative, cross-disciplinary projects.

Account Setup Always configure your citation software with the HSLIC proxy path to ensure that full-text PDF retrieval tools can automatically query the institutional catalog and attach licensed files to your library references.

Step-by-Step Guide: Accessing Off-Campus Electronic Resources in 2026

To access restricted journals, e-books, and databases from off-campus, you must authenticate through the UNM single sign-on infrastructure. The library utilizes a seamless authentication system to manage off-campus access.

Step 1: Start at the Official HSLIC Homepage

Always initiate your search from the official HSLIC website. Accessing databases directly through public search engines (such as searching Google for "PubMed") bypasses the institutional authentication link, meaning full-text articles will appear behind a paywall.

Step 2: Select Your Target Database or Article

Click on the specific database link, electronic journal title, or catalog entry. The URL will redirect through the secure authentication gateway.

Step 3: Authenticate via UNM NetID and Duo MFA

When prompted, enter your standard UNM NetID and password. The system will trigger a mandatory Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) prompt via Duo Security. Approve the request on your registered mobile device to complete the secure handshake.

Step 4: Verify Session Active Status

Once authenticated, you will be redirected back to the target database. Look for an institutional marker at the top of the webpage, such as "Brought to you by the University of New Mexico" or "Access provided by UNM HSLIC." This indicates your session is active, and you can download full-text materials freely.

Troubleshooting Authentication Failures

If you encounter a loop or a "403 Forbidden" error, clear your browser's cache and cookies, or open an Incognito/Private browsing window to bypass cached credential conflicts. If the issue persists, contact the HSLIC Service Desk or submit an online system status ticket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can members of the general public visit the physical UNM Health Sciences Library?

Yes, New Mexico residents and visiting researchers can access the physical HSLIC facilities during designated visitor hours. Public visitors must present a valid government-issued photo ID at the front desk upon entry to obtain a temporary day pass, but they do not have remote access privileges to licensed electronic databases.

While inside the building, public guests can use designated computer terminals to view select local databases and search the library's physical holdings. However, high-demand resources, group study rooms, and late-night study hours remain strictly reserved for badged UNM Health Sciences students, faculty, and clinical staff.

How do I access UpToDate off-campus through UNM HSLIC?

To use UpToDate off-campus or on a mobile device, you must first create a personal UpToDate account while connected directly to the UNM HSC secure on-site network. Once registered, you can log into the UpToDate mobile application from any remote network.

To maintain your active off-campus mobile access, the system requires you to re-verify your institutional affiliation once every 90 days. This is done automatically by logging into your UpToDate account while connected to the physical UNM HSC network or the secure local campus Wi-Fi.

What is the process for requesting an article not owned by UNM?

If the library does not hold a subscription to a specific journal or book chapter, you can request the document through the library's Interlibrary Loan (ILLiad) service. This service is free of charge for all active UNM HSC students, faculty, and staff.

Requests are submitted online by logging into your personal ILLiad account via the HSLIC homepage. Most electronic journal articles are delivered directly to your account as downloadable PDF files within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the lending speeds of partner academic libraries.

Where can I find research data management and NIH compliance support at UNM?

HSLIC provides specialized consultations on research data management, metadata standards, and compliance with the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy. These services are accessed by scheduling a direct consultation with an informatics or research librarian.

Library experts can review your draft data management plans, assist in formatting datasets for public repositories, and ensure your publications are registered in the PubMed Central (PMC) system to comply with federal public-access mandates.

Is there a virtual reality or 3D printing facility at HSLIC?

Yes, HSLIC features a dedicated tech space that includes virtual reality (VR) equipment and high-definition 3D printers. The VR stations are loaded with highly detailed 3D anatomical software designed to assist health sciences students in studying complex anatomical relationships.

Active UNM HSC affiliates can request 3D printing services for educational, clinical, or research models. Requests are evaluated based on material requirements and alignment with academic or clinical workflows.

Maximizing Academic and Clinical Performance with HSLIC

The resources provided by the UNM Health Sciences Library are critical to achieving clinical excellence and driving high-impact scientific discoveries across New Mexico. By integrating specialized database search strategies, taking advantage of NIH data management consulting, and utilizing modern on-site study spaces, UNM HSC students, clinicians, and researchers can dramatically increase their efficiency and productivity.

For real-time assistance with search strategies, database troubleshooting, or setting up a clinical rotation guide, visit the HSLIC Service Desk or schedule a specialized research consultation with your department's designated liaison librarian.