Tips for New Students

With the fall semester in full swing, the HSHSL would like to share some tips to help you get the most out of your time at UMB.

  • Need to study with a group, or just want to have a space to shut out distractions? You can reserve study rooms throughout the 2nd and 3rd floors. No reservations are needed for other library study spaces.
  • Want a fast and easy way to access the full text of articles through the Library? Add the LibKey Nomad extension to your browser. Select University of Maryland, Baltimore as your organization and you are good to go.
  • Need help? Our Information Services staff are here for you. Visit in person at the desk on the 1st floor, call 410-706-7995, or use the online chat to get assistance with searching databases, locating items, scanning documents, and more. Go to the Ask Us! page to use the online chat or view answers to frequently asked questions.
  • Want to learn a new skill, or need a refresher on a resource you haven’t used in a while? Visit our YouTube channel to view video tutorials on topics ranging from literature searching in PubMed to citation management using Zotero. For more in-depth research help, you can request a consultation with a librarian.
  • Forgot your charger and your electronic device is about to die? Use our first floor charging station, located near the restrooms. These secure lockers contain cords compatible with various devices.
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Faith and Religious Practice Space

Faith and Religious Practice Space

In collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs, the HSHSL is offering a temporary faith and religious practice space for students, faculty, and staff. Located in Room 302 near the GRID, the space is open during library hours. It has been recently updated and is clearly labeled. The Office of Student Affairs and HSHSL worked together to develop guidelines for its use. Come and experience the space for yourself.

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AI and Information Literacy: A Guide to GenAI Tools

Image created by ChatGPT 4.0, 2024. Generated using the prompt “create an image of a magnifying glass with the word AI in the glass, make the background a muted but colorful image of bacilli, lightbulbs, books, and scales of justice.”
Image created by ChatGPT 4.0, 2024

Explore the HSHSL’s guide on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and information literacy. Learn how GenAI tools such as ChatGPT work, how to analyze their outputs critically, cite them properly and more!

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HSHSL Acquires Accessibility Tools

Accessibility tools are now available for checkout at the Information Services desk. See how they work for you, and let us know if you have requests for additional tools.

LED page magnifier This tool can be placed on top of physical texts, such as newspapers, textbooks, and magazines, to enlarge the text for easier reading.

Large-print backlit keyboard (USB) This backlit keyboard features larger-than-standard text on each key for easier viewing.

Vertical computer mouse (wireless) This ergonomic mouse is designed to fit the shape of your hand for more comfortable use.

Adjustable laptop stand This stand can be raised and angled to promote a more comfortable posture when using your laptop.

Desktop stand This flat-top stand can be adjusted and raised to hold your PC, books, or other study materials for more comfortable viewing.

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October Connective Issues is Here!

The HSHSL is excited to share the latest edition of Connective Issues, packed with updates and resources to support you in your academic and professional life.

In this edition, we’re proud to introduce the newly formed HSHSL Student Advisory Board, launching this fall. Students from every UMB school have volunteered to provide feedback on how the library can better meet student needs. As the semester progresses, we’ll keep you updated on the board’s insights and impact.

You’ll also read about the continued success of HSHSL’s Open Access Publishing Fund, which is empowering early-career researchers to publish their work. If you’re a new student, don’t miss our essential tips to help you make the most of your library experience. We’ve also acquired new accessibility tools to enhance your learning environment.

Other highlights include:

  • The Get Out the Vax panel, promoting vaccine confidence
  • A newly opened faith and religious practice space, available during library hours
  • And much more!

To dive into all the articles and news, read the full newsletter here.

Stay connected and let us know how we can continue to support your work! 

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Historical Insights: The University of Maryland Faculty of Divinity

Throughout its long history, the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) has seen many other Baltimore colleges and universities open and close. Some of these schools simply shuttered their doors, while others merged with UMB. Historical Collections still houses materials from some of these schools. This year, Historical Collections aims to tell the stories of these defunct schools in blog posts.

In a previous post, the history of UMB’s School of Arts and Sciences or School of Letters was covered. The same 1812 charter that started the School of Arts and Sciences:

And be it enacted, That the professors now appointed and authorized in the College of Medicine of Maryland, and their successors, shall constitute the Faculty of Physic; that the professor of theology, together with six ordained ministers of any religious society or denomination, and their successors, shall form and constitute the Faculty of Divinity…

Thus, the School of Divinity of the University of Maryland was founded. At the first faculty meetings of the new University of Maryland in 1812, the following men were named to the School of Divinity:

Reverend Frederick Beasley (Professor of Theology)
Reverend James Inglis, D.D., Presbyterian
Reverend John Daniel Kurtz, Lutheran
Reverend George Roberts, Methodist
Right Reverend James Kemp, D.D., Protestant Episcopal Bishop of Maryland
Reverend John Glendy, Presbyterian
Reverend George Dashiell, Protestant Episcopal

As required by the charter, each of the faculty members represented a different sect of Christianity; the goal was to encourage religious tolerance. Though it’s unclear if the Maryland Legislature really envisioned tolerance for all religions or just tolerance among the Christian sects since no other religion was represented on the faculty.

By 1815, Reverend Dashiell resigned from the faculty and was replaced by Reverend William E. Wyatt, A.M. In 1819, the Faculty of Divinity were called upon by the University to develop a course of lectures called “On the Evidences of Christianity.” Reverend Wyatt, delivered this course on Sundays so as not to interfere with the medical school classes and was open to all students at the University.  The Bylaws, completed in 1821 under then Dean Reverend Wyatt, of the Faculty of Divinity decreed:

It shall be the business of the Faculty to promote religious principles in the University; & for this purpose, their Professor shall deliver during every term, when the Medical students are attending the University Lectures on such subjects as may appear most likely to promote correct principles & pious habits among the young Gentlemen of the Institution. And whenever a theological class can be obtained, the Professor shall deliver lectures on the same terms with the Medical Lectures. These Lectures shall be on general topics_ Such as the Evidence of Christianity, the divine inspiration of the holy Scriptures & biblical Criticism

The course “On the Evidences of Christianity” was the only known course given by the Faculty of Divinity; it continued to be offered until 1824.

A second course in the Collegiate Department of the School of Arts and Sciences called “Natural Theology and the Evidences of Christianity” was also developed. The course was not a required one and any student interested in attending had to have permission from their parent or guardian.  There is no documentation available that this course was ever taught.

While regular, yearly meetings of the Faculty of Divinity occurred until 1843 the school never enrolled students or awarded bachelor’s or master’s degrees; however, honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees were regularly given by the faculty.  A volume of meeting minutes from 1817 to 1843 was recently digitized and transcribed; it is now available in the UMB Digital Archive. A member of the Faculty of Divinity remained on the Board of Regents of the University until 1878; this coincides with the death of Reverend J.G. Hamner. Reverend Hamner officiated at University Commencements until 1878.

The 1812 charter’s goal of diverse religious representation was certainly noble and unique at the time but it’s also possible that it deterred unity of the school. Historical documents including a speech by John Prentiss Poe, Dean of the School of Law, at the opening of the school’s new building in 1884 supported this notion.  In the speech Poe said:      

The Faculty of Divinity, constituted, as it was, by the terms of the charter, of six ministers of different religious denominations, could not, of course, be expected to prove itself a very great success, nor indeed could any system of Theology taught by Professors of such discordant views well be harmonious or homogeneous. It is not surprising, therefore, that no attempt was ever seriously made to put this department into full operation.

Alternatively, others have argued that inadequate provosts and the siloed or fragmented leadership of the Board of Regents of the University failed to empower or support the Faculty of Divinity to become a degree awarding school. Whatever the cause, the Faculty of Divinity of the University of Maryland had a short life and as such is minimally noted in the history of the school.

Bibliography and Further Reading:

Cordell, E.F. (1907). University of Maryland, 1807-1907, its history, influence, equipment and characteristics, with biographical sketches and portraits of its founders, benefactors, regents, faculty and alumni. Lewis publishing company. Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10713/12583

Faculty of Divinity. (1839). In University of Maryland faculty meeting minutes, 1812-1839. University of Maryland, Baltimore: Health Sciences and Human Services Library. Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10713/6322

Faculty of Divinity. (1843). In Minutes of the meetings of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Maryland, 1817-1843. University of Maryland, Baltimore: Health Sciences and Human Services Library. Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10713/22854

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Join UMB’s Academy of Lifelong Learning: Paid Tutoring and Chaperone Opportunities Available!

UMB’s Academy of Lifelong Learning (ALL) provides literacy tutoring to students from West Baltimore in grades one to six on campus in the Saratoga Building. 

ALL is looking for tutors and a chaperone to assist with the program this fall.

  • The program runs 3:15-5:15 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from Oct. 14-Dec. 19.
  • The tutors and chaperone positions are paid.
  • For more information, email Nick Kouwenhoven, executive director, Academy of Lifelong Learning, at nkouwenhoven@umaryland.edu.

Watch this video to learn more about the program.

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October is Health Literacy Month: Sharpen Your Patient Communication Skills

The Health Sciences and Human Services Library (HSHSL) aims to educate healthcare providers and researchers on the importance of clear communication and increase health literacy awareness. October is Health Literacy Month. Did you know the library offers resources and online workshops to support health literacy?

The HSHSL has a health literacy guide with resources for both healthcare providers and patients. You can learn how to assess health literacy, write in plain language, explain numerical concepts to patients, and find health information in other languages. The library will also offer its popular online health literacy workshops in October. Register today!

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Discover New Perspectives: Explore Graphic Medicine at HSHSL

Explore compelling stories and fresh insights in HSHSL’s latest graphic titles. From navigating postpartum depression and standing up for housing justice in Detroit to exploring neurodivergence and mental health, our collection has something for everyone. Come browse, get inspired, and see how these illustrated journeys can open up new conversations. Dive into the collection today!

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Get Out the Vax: Empowering Health Professionals to Promote Vaccine Confidence Panel

Join the Health Sciences and Human Services Library (HSHSL) and the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) for a virtual panel discussion on Wednesday, October 2, 1-2:30p.m. The panel will empower the community to dispel myths and misconceptions about vaccines as well as provide ways to keep up-to-date on vaccine development and education.

The panel features members of the University of Maryland, Baltimore and University System of Maryland Community who are working in health literacy, vaccine development, and public health. 

Panelists Include:

Cynthia Baur, PhD
Endowed Chair and Director, Horowitz Center for Health Literacy
University of Maryland, College Park

James D. Campbell, MD, MS
Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Interim Head, Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Pediatrics
University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health

Amy Kruger Howard, PharmD, MS
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

Saya Kakim, PhD, MA
Postdoctoral Fellow, PATIENTS Program
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

Christine R. Valeriann, MS
Ambassador, Public Health Communications Collaborative
Proposal & Marketing Advisor
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

The panel is free to attend but we ask that participants register.  Upon registration participants will receive a Zoom link for the event. 

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