History and Mission of the Health Sciences Library
History
The Health Sciences Library has been an essential part of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center's history and development. The library was started with an endowment made by Ella Strong Denison, whose husband, Dr. Charles Denison, was an early Colorado physician and Professor of Chest Diseases and Climatology at the University of Denver, 1881-1885. Mrs. Denison donated funds in 1924 for "The Charles Denison, M.D., Memorial Library." The funds made it possible to furnish a library on the second floor of the School of Medicine. She also gave funds annually to purchase journal subscriptions. The library opened with 7,500 books and soon outgrew its quarters. In 1935, Mrs. Denison donated more than $90,000 to build a new library building and badly needed auditorium. This building was completed in 1937. The dedication address was given by Dr. Florence Sabin. The library flourished, requiring new additions in 1962 and 1977. For more information about the library on the old 9th Avenue campus, read this detailed history of the University of Colorado Medical Library Collection.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for a new Health Sciences Library on the Anschutz Medical Campus took place on April 10, 2006. Collections and staff moved to the Anschutz Medical Campus in October 2007 and door opened to the public on on October 15, 2007. The new library is the physical and digital hub of knowledge on the Anschutz Medical Campus, coordinating access to information in support of learning, research, clinical care, and service to the community. The library is seen as a link between people and knowledge in this technology-intensive era, helping to overcome barriers, meeting needs for information, and providing navigation assistance. In addition to HSC personnel, the library serves rural and metro health providers, citizens of the region, and Colorado's developing biotechnology industry.
UCD Health Sciences Library Mission Statement
The Health Sciences Library at Anschutz Medical Campus organizes information, teaches skills for information management, and links people, reliable biomedical knowledge and technology in support of effective learning, quality health care and vital research.
UCD Health Sciences Library Broad Vision Statement
The Health Sciences Library at Anschutz Medical Campus is a gateway to the world's biomedical information, assisting the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center in accomplishing its missions and goals in education, research, patient care, and community service. The information needs of the UCD Health Sciences community are our paramount concern. In addition, within the constraints of limited funding, the library serves state and regional clients. The staff of the Health Sciences Library strives for the highest quality of service as it enhances access to the literature of the health sciences, provides instructional opportunities to acquire skills in information retrieval and management, acquires a specialized collection of print and electronic resources, and obtains remote information in a rapid and cost-effective manner. The library delivers data, information, and knowledge to local and remote users through the use of state-of-the-art technology. Library faculty focus on the practice of information service and teaching, with limited time for research activities.