Location
3715 McClintock Avenue, Rm. 116
University of Southern California,
University Park
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0192
Phone: (213) 740 5990
Email: geron@usc.edu
Campus map code: GER
Overview
The Gerontology Library, located in the Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center on USC's University Park campus, maintains a collection of research materials on the study of aging and the aged. There are approximately 20,000 books in the collection, half of them on-site. There are over 130 journal subscriptions (most of them now in electronic format), 300 newsletter titles, and over 1,000 videos as well as the access to a rich array of USC subscribed research resources available via the Electronic Resources webpage. The Gerontology Library is open to the public at large; however, preference is given to USC students during busy periods.
Books
Books held by the Gerontology Library are primarily focused on the sociological, psychological and physical aspects of aging, searchable in HOMER. Subject areas related to gerontology are also collected by other libraries on campus, such as Doheny Memorial Library, VKC Library, Crocker Business and the Norris Medical Library.
Journals
Most of the gerontology-specific journals are now available online. Please refer to the Gerontology E-Resources page for search options, or browse online journals in Gerontology. Use the online catalog, HOMER, to locate journals in our print collection.
Newsletters
Newsletters are primary source of information in the aging network representing publications from senior citizens groups, advocacy organizations, special interests groups, gerontology centers and government agencies. These are available for "Room Use" only.
Videorecordings
The library owns a comprehensive collection of videos and DVDs on aging-related issues to support the teaching and training functions of the gerontology program. Titles are searchable in HOMER. Videos and DVDs are circulated for three days to valid USC library card holders.
Theses & Dissertations
All USC dissertations and theses are housed in Grand Avenue Library & Book Depository and can be requested via HOMER. For more information on searching for USC dissertations in general, please see the guide Finding Dissertations. A digital library of dissertations and theses from USC is now available through Current Research@USC, where you can:
- Search citations and abstracts of dissertations and theses submitted by USC and published in UMI's Dissertation Abstracts database
- View 24-page previews of dissertations and theses published after 1996
- Download the full text of dissertations and theses published after 1996
The Gerontology Library maintains selective titles of dissertations and theses from the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. For a comprehensive view of theses and dissertations on aging completed at USC since 1965, consult the library publication Thirty Years in Gerontological Research (Z5055.U5L78 1998).
Special Collections
One of the strengths of the Gerontology Library is the extensive collection of historical resources covering the developmental era of gerontological studies from the 1950s to the 1970s.
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National Clearinghouse on Aging Resources collection (SCAN). A large microfiche collection of doctoral dissertations related to the study of aging from U.S. universities, 1960-1980.
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USC Living History Collection. A video collection of interviews with retired faculty and staff members of USC who have made a significant contribution to the evolution of the university. Living History videos may circulate to USC library card holders.
- The Andrus Gerontology Center Publications. Library maintains a collection and an inventory list of publications produced by the Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center since 1964.
Library Services
- LibraryWorks. Maintained by the Andrus Gerontology Library, the service is dedicated to the information need of the AgeWorks students enrolled in the Andrus Gerontology Center's online program. Through LibraryWorks, the Gerontology Library staff can help to facilitate the access to USC information resources and services for the distance learning students.
- Group Study Room. Submit your request online to reserve the Group Study Room in Gerontology Library.
- Reserve Readings for gerontology courses are held at the front desk. To request a reserve item, look up your instructor's course name in the reserve binder on the front desk or in the Homer Reserve Desk.
Circulation Policies
- Most books in the regular stacks circulate for four weeks for undergraduates and staff, and for a semester for graduate students and faculty.
- Materials on reserve, either for a course or on permanent reserve may only be checked out for one of the following periods: two hours; three hours; one day; three days.
- Dissertations and journals that are identified as being held in the basement must be paged by a library staff member and may be checked out as designated.
- Bound journals may circulate outside the library for two hours.
- Videos and DVDs may circulate for three days.
- Dissertations and journals that are identified as being held in the basement must be paged by a library staff member and may be checked out as designated.
Finding the Library
- Driving: Once you get to the USC campus, turn into Gate #6 at 36th Place and Vermont. The guard at the gate will direct you to parking and the Gerontology building, which is next door to the parking structure. Parking is payable at the gate and is good for the entire day.
- On campus: The Gerontology Library is inside the Gerontology building, located at the corner of 37th and McClintock. Walking west on Bloom Walk, you will end at the Gertonology building.
updated December 3, 2012