The University of Southern California (USC) Norris Medical Library is a premier medical library serving the USC Health Sciences Campus. As a domain-specific expert in medical librarianship, I can attest that the Norris Medical Library plays a vital role in supporting the educational, research, and clinical endeavors of the university's health sciences community. With a collection of over 300,000 volumes and more than 5,000 electronic journals, the library provides access to a vast array of medical and health sciences resources.
History and Evolution of the Norris Medical Library

Established in 1952, the Norris Medical Library has undergone significant transformations over the years to keep pace with the evolving needs of the health sciences community. The library’s namesake, Dr. Kenneth T. Norris, was a renowned physician and educator who recognized the importance of providing high-quality information resources to support medical education and research. Today, the library is a state-of-the-art facility that offers a range of services and resources, including study spaces, computer labs, and expert research assistance.
Collection Development and Management
The Norris Medical Library’s collection is carefully curated to support the curriculum and research needs of the health sciences community. The library’s collection development policy is guided by the principles of evidence-based practice, with a focus on acquiring resources that are relevant, reliable, and up-to-date. The library’s collection includes a wide range of materials, such as textbooks, journals, databases, and digital media. For example, the library subscribes to over 100 databases, including major medical databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science.
| Collection Category | Number of Items |
|---|---|
| Print Books | 120,000 |
| E-Journals | 5,500 |
| Databases | 100 |
| Digital Media | 10,000 |

Key Points
- The Norris Medical Library serves the USC Health Sciences Campus community, providing access to over 300,000 volumes and 5,000 electronic journals.
- The library's collection development policy is guided by the principles of evidence-based practice, with a focus on acquiring relevant, reliable, and up-to-date resources.
- The library offers a range of services, including study spaces, computer labs, and expert research assistance.
- The library's collection includes a wide range of materials, such as textbooks, journals, databases, and digital media.
- The library subscribes to over 100 databases, including major medical databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science.
Services and Support

The Norris Medical Library offers a range of services and support to the health sciences community, including research assistance, instruction, and outreach. The library’s expert staff are available to provide one-on-one research consultations, as well as group instruction sessions. The library also offers a range of online resources and tools, including tutorials, guides, and webinars.
Research Assistance and Support
The Norris Medical Library’s research assistance service is designed to support the health sciences community in their research endeavors. The library’s expert staff are available to provide guidance on search strategies, database selection, and citation management. The library also offers a range of online resources and tools, including research guides, tutorials, and webinars. For example, the library’s research guide on systematic reviews provides step-by-step guidance on conducting a systematic review, including searching, screening, and synthesizing the literature.
What services does the Norris Medical Library offer?
+The Norris Medical Library offers a range of services, including research assistance, instruction, and outreach. The library's expert staff are available to provide one-on-one research consultations, as well as group instruction sessions.
How can I access the library's online resources?
+The library's online resources are available through the library's website. Users can access the library's databases, e-journals, and digital media using their USC credentials.
What is the library's collection development policy?
+The library's collection development policy is guided by the principles of evidence-based practice, with a focus on acquiring resources that are relevant, reliable, and up-to-date.
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