Library & Learning Resource Center

Visit the AIMC Berkeley Library Database for complete holdings and additional information.

About the Collection

AIMC Berkeley Library currently houses four book collections spanning material in Oriental, Western, and Integrative medicine. English language titles which are catalogued according to the National Library of Medicine classification system,

The General Collection consists of roughly 1,400 titles including an array of titles in Acupuncture, General Chinese medicine, Herbology, Science and Bio medicine, Alternative medicine.. The Reference Collection consists of almost 400 noncirculating general reference materials such as dictionaries and encyclopedias, as well as medicine‐specific reference texts. Also included in this section are copies of required textbooks for student use in the Library. Reference books are non‐circulating, and therefore do not leave the Library!

AIMC Berkeley Library also provides a Japanese Collection, containing roughly 170 titles, and a Chinese Collection, containing roughly 295 titles containing classical and contemporary works on Oriental and Biomedicine.

The Library also carries 30 English language, Japanese, and Chinese journal titles covering topics in Oriental, Western, and Integrative medicine.

AIMC Berkeley maintains a yearly budget for continued growth of the library facility and collection. The goal is to expand the scope and depth of all of the collections.

Book Lending, Due Dates and Fines

All circulating books may be borrowed for two weeks at a time. When a book is checked out, the Librarian will stamp the due date on the inner book pocket. Library Staff must check out all outgoing books. Patrons may not take books out of the library without the knowledge of the Library Staff.

Books that are returned to the Library after the due date will accrue a fine of $0.25 each day after the due date until the book is checked in by the Librarian. Books may normally be renewed for an additional one week only if other patrons are not waiting for that book.

Reference books (including reference class text books) may not be checked out. They are only for use in the Library.

Journals follow the same guidelines as reference books and may not be checked out. Video tapes may be checked out for one week. Video overdue fines are $0.50 per day.

Media Services

The Library currently holds a small audio/video Library with tapes on acupuncture, pain management and bodywork. These tapes may be borrowed for two weeks and used at home

Computer Services

The Library currently has several computers available for student use, along with a wireless DSL Internet connection. Students are welcome to access the wireless network from their laptops after receiving the security code.

Please keep in mind the following:

• Usage of the computers is limited to 30 minutes when others are waiting. Priority is given to those students using the computer for AIMC Berkeley related work.

• The Library and AIMC Berkeley will not be responsible for files left on the computer.

Library Book Requests

AIMC Berkeley would like to encourage students and faculty to request books for our collection. The Library Committee reviews book requests submitted by students and faculty before purchasing books. Books selected for purchase must be reputable works dealing with the areas of interest to the College’s community, such as Acupuncture, Herbology, alternative medicine and Bio‐medicine.

Patrons are asked to fill out a Book Request Form and give it directly to the Librarian. The form must indicate important information such as: Publisher, Title, Author, Publication date, Edition, etc. Book Request Forms are available at the circulation counter in the Library.

Online Subscription Resources

CINAHL Plus:
The Cumulative Index to Allied Health Literature accesses 2,857 journals from the fields of nursing, allied health, and alternative/complementary medicine

JCIM:
The Journal of Complementary & Integrative Medicine publishes significant research  focusing on the efficacy and safety of CAM systems, practices, interventions, and natural medicine health products.

Online Searching

There are many internet websites that students can use to access current and authoritative information about their research topics. An example of a commonly used website is Medline. This is an extensive bibliographic database encompassing many aspects of the medical field. The librarian has created a subject specific annotated bibliography of useful websites in the fields of Chinese Medicine, Herbology, and Western Medicine. This handout also includes information on how to access useful subscription databases through other local libraries. If you are interested in an article that isn’t in AIMC Berkeley’s collection, you may be able to obtain it through AIMC Berkeley’s Interlibrary loan program.

Reference Assistance

The librarian is available to offer specialized group and individual assistance and instruction in research and information seeking using both online and print resources. Please do not hesitate to contact the librarian in person, via email at mosborn@aimc.edu, or via telephone: (510) 666 8248 x114.