The Libraries of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

Patient education for eye, ear, nose and throat conditions - From the National Library of Medicine

Patient Info. (English)

Ear, nose, throat
Eyes


Informacion Paciente

Oreja,nariz,garganta
Ojo Ojo 2

History of the Libraries

The Libraries of the Infirmary were established in 1876 with the purchase of a small number of books which were organized as a library for the hospital's medical staff. The library grew slowly over the years with purchases and donations. In 1925, the Howe Laboratory was established with its own library. This was soon merged with the original library into larger and more comprehensive holdings and named the Lucien Howe Library of Ophthalmology. This library was funded by Howe Funds, administered through Harvard and Infirmary funds. The otolaryngology section of the library, which had been housed at Massachusetts General Hospital for some years, was brought back and merged with the Howe Library in 1949. The first librarian was hired in 1928 and in 1932, the first Library Committee began oversight of the operation.

The rare book collection was begun by Mrs. Howe with a donation of rare texts and funding for future purchases. In 1980, Dr. Lurie of the otolaryngology staff donated his rare book collection and funding to continue its growth. In 1986, an archivist was hired to organize the rare books and papers of the Infirmary and staff. Both books and papers were housed in a new, secure, climate-controlled area and named the Abraham Pollen Archives after Dr. Pollen, who was a great friend to the library. The rare book room was named the Charles Snyder Reading Room after the third library director who had a great interest in rare books as well as in the history of the Infirmary and the history of medicine.

Also in 1986, the library moved into its new space on the third floor where it remains today. At that time the library already was equipped with public access computers and the hospital's first fax machine. To better reflect the focus of the entire hospital and the funding for building the new library, the name was changed to The Libraries of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary: The Lucien Howe Library of Ophthalmology, The Leroy A. Schall Library of Otolaryngology and the Abraham Pollen Archives and Rare Book Library - still called by most the Howe Library.

Current Library Facilities and Collections

Today the library receives 168 journal titles. Most of these are in the fields of ophthalmology and otolaryngology or related areas such as neurology and plastic surgery. Most are English language, but foreign titles can also be found in the collection. The library also has many journal titles that date to the 1800's. There are approximately 4,030 monographs in the regular collection and over 1,000 in the rare book collection. The Archives also contains historic papers, manuscripts and photographs of the Infirmary.

page updated: 5/03/07