publications@ brown university library

Most medical libraries have an area designated as a reading room, a comfortable place where patrons can scan new journal issues, converse with colleagues, and, especially in hospital settings, find temporary refuge. In a medical school, it can also serve as a study area and meeting room. Although Brownís Medical School and the Sciences Library were both born in the early 1970ís, there was no provision made in the Library for a reading or study room designated especially for medical students. By the time they asked for their own space, there was no open area left in the building

Fortuitously, when the students reminded us of their need in the early spring of 2001, the staff was in the midst of reviewing and weeding the Reference collection on level A. At that point, the project acquired an additional goal. If we could withdraw or transfer enough books to empty the entire east wing of the Reference shelving area, there would be space for the long-awaited reading room. See image at right: "before".

We had polled students about their desires for the room and received many recommendations for amenities, from blackboards to a model skeleton. In the end, they made it clear that what they needed most was a place where they could study together and easily access the resources supporting their work. So, for example, the new area would serve as the single location for current major medical texts, eliminating the confusion involved in tracking them in reference, reserves, and the stacks. For convenience, the books would not circulate, making them available whenever the Library was open.

With resources scarce, the project became a community effort. The single largest contribution came from Medical Library Coordinator, Tovah Reis, who tapped funds from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute gift to purchase two small sofas and three comfortable chairs. Other contributors included Howard Pasternack, Head of Systems, who added an additional workstation to his annual order. Florence Doksansky, Associate University Librarian for Public Services, drew on her budget to pay for the network connections and also donated a colorful AIDS quilt print. Other Library staff enthusiastically volunteered to dismantle and move shelving. Library Business Assistant, Ginine Hefner, as project coordinator, furnished the rest of the room with her ingenuity and persistence, providing a blackboard salvaged from storage, three small bookcases from the stacks, and a computer table from the Library mezzanine. Two of her "finds" have particularly distinguished provenances. One is the coffee table from University Librarian Merrily Taylorís office; the other is the red carpet used at President Simmonsí inauguration. By late fall, we had achieved our aim. See image at left: "after"/

On January 22, 2002, the Development Office sponsored a reception to open the area officially. Users have been truly appreciative: a photograph of the room appears on the medical student website, and the area is used regularly by hard-working students.

--Janet Crager

publications @ brown university library
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