Osler Library of the History of Medicine
Osler Library of the History of Medicine | |
---|---|
Type | a branch of the McGill University Library, Academic information repository and research resource |
Established | 1929 |
Collection | |
Items collected | current publications on medical history, historic texts, reference collection, archives, manuscripts |
Criteria for collection | history of medicine, |
Other information | |
Director | Mary Yearl |
Employees | 3 |
Website | Osler Library of the History of Medicine |
The Osler Library,[1] a branch of the McGill University Library and part of ROAAr since 2016,[2] is Canada's foremost scholarly resource for the history of medicine, and one of the most important libraries of its type in North America. It is located in the McIntyre Medical Sciences Building in Montreal.
Collection
The nucleus of the Library is the collection of 8,000 rare and historic works on the history of medicine and allied subjects presented to the Faculty of Medicine of
In addition to the Osler Library's holdings of rare and old books, there is a strong circulating collection of current secondary works and modern editions of historic texts, as well as a reference collection, archives and manuscripts, portraits and artifacts. In particular, the Osler Library has a large collection of
The total number of works currently housed in the library is approximately 100,000, and includes books old and new, as well as "periodicals about the history of the health sciences and related areas".[3] The library also includes an important archival collection, both in scope (more than 200 archival fonds) and in content, documenting the history and the development of medicine and its teaching from the 19th century.
History
In the design of the Osler Library everything has been subordinated to the books themselves; those in the Osler Room are arranged in full view behind glass cabinetry. The fittings and furnishings of the Osler Library were designed by architects Percy Nobbs & George Taylor Hyde.[6][7] The stained glass window in the Osler Room depicts the staff and serpent, symbols of healing associated with the Greek god Asclepius, and a held-out book representing the university.
After their deaths, the ashes of both Sir William and Lady Osler were placed in a niche within the library so that they continue to be surrounded by Sir William's favourite books.
Partnerships and collaboration
The McGill University Library is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, Canadian Association of Research Libraries, and is a contributor to the Open Content Alliance. In January 2016, Osler Library of the History of Medicine started contributing material to the Medical Heritage Library.
See also
- The Principles and Practice of Medicine
- McGill University Library
- McGill Department of Social Studies of Medicine
References
- ISBN 0-8020-4349-6.
- ^ "About". McGill Library. Retrieved 2022-08-11.
- ^ "About the Osler Library of the History of Medicine". McGill Library. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
the collection [...] has grown to around 100,000 works including older, rare materials as well as current books and periodicals about the history of the health sciences and related areas.
- ^ "Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building map". www.mcgill.ca/library. McGill University. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
- ^ Bensley, Edward H.; Groen, Frances; Wallis, Faith; Hicks, Lorraine; Ricci, Elizabeth (February 1985). "Osler Library Newsletter" (PDF). No. 48. Montreal, Canada: McGill University. p. 2. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
- ^ "Osler Library Montreal, Canada, (7/1922-3/1923)". The architecture of Percy Erskine Nobbs digital exhibition. McGill University Library. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
- ^ Dysert, Anna. "Osler Library FAQs". De re medica : Osler library of the history of medicine blog. McGill University Library. Retrieved 20 February 2014.