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Health sciences libraries in the United States: II. Medical school libraries, 1960-1980.
Bulletin of the Medical Library Association
|January 1, 1983
Summary
Medical school libraries experienced stability, then rapid growth, and finally leveled off between 1960 and 1981. Funding from federal and state aid significantly impacted library resources and expenditures during this period.
Area of Science:
- Library and Information Science
- Medical Education History
Background:
- Medical school libraries underwent significant transformations over two decades.
- Historical context, including federal and state aid, influenced library development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in medical school library growth and support from 1960-61 to 1980-81.
- To understand the impact of external funding on library resources and expenditures.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of survey data from medical school libraries spanning a twenty-year period.
- Quantitative assessment of library growth, number, and financial support.
Main Results:
- Libraries shifted from a stable state to a period of expansive growth.
- A subsequent leveling off in growth was observed towards the end of the study period.
- Expenditures and resource development showed a strong correlation with federal and state aid.
Conclusions:
- Medical school libraries' evolution is characterized by distinct phases of stability, growth, and stabilization.
- External financial support, particularly from government sources, played a pivotal role in shaping library resources and infrastructure.