History of Medicine

Despite access challenges caused by the Alan Magee Scaife Hall construction, Falk Library’s special and historical collections continued to shine. These collections, which include rare and fascinating artifacts, supported researchers with digitized materials and hosted seven visitors in the History of Medicine collection. The “Treasures from the Rare Book Room” column, featured eight times in the HSLS Update, showcased the collection’s unique value.

The special collections remain a cornerstone for University initiatives, offering historical information, photos, digital images, and media clips to support the health sciences schools, the broader University community, and medical researchers nationwide.

A significant milestone this year was the addition of the Osial Collection—over 200 historically significant books on gout and rheumatism—further enriching the History of Medicine collection.

FY 24 marked the beginning of our Omeka platform, a cutting-edge digital tool designed to showcase our library’s treasures. Omeka for HSLS will feature digital artifacts and virtual exhibits from the collections, with a public launch slated for early FY 25. Initial steps, including accessibility, theming, and artifact uploads, are complete.

Our History of Medicine web presence also saw major updates, now offering visually engaging, user-friendly pages. Rare Books and Special Collections are highlighted on separate pages with images, brief descriptions, and direct links. Exhibits pages have been revamped with visuals and descriptions to enhance navigation and encourage exploration.

These improvements aim to broaden outreach and engagement, making Falk Library’s unique collections more accessible and inviting to a wider audience.