Waring and Rare Book Collections
The Waring History of Medicine & Health Sciences Collection (who was Waring?) and the library's rare book collection are housed on the library's third floor in the Special Collections room. This spacious room provides ample seating for reading, study, and research. Food and drink are not allowed.
Waring History of Medicine and Health Sciences Collection
Circulating materials may be accessed during the hours that the library is open. These items have a location code of HSL History of Medicine in the IMPULSE catalog.
Rare Book Collection
Access to the Rare Book Collection is restricted. The rare book area is not open for browsing, and all materials must be requested individually. These items have a location code of HSL Rare in the IMPULSE catalog. Some rare items are not in IMPULSE, but must be located using our card catalog. Rare books are available by appointment between the hours of 9 am to noon, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 1 pm - 5 pm or by special arrangement. To make an appointment, contact librarian Emily Epstein, at 303-724-2119 or by email at emily.epstein@uchsc.edu.
Borrowers must fill out a registration card and present some form of photo identification (UCD ID, driver’s license, etc.) before special collections materials are retrieved. A circulation form must be filled out for each item requested. Identification will be returned when the materials are returned in good condition. Rules for handling the materials (PDF)
Exceptions to these policies or procedures must be approved by the Library Director.
Who was Waring?
James J. Waring, M.D. (1883-1962) was the first full-time Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Waring came to Colorado to recuperate from tuberculosis, which interrupted his medical studies at Johns Hopkins University. When he had recovered, he continued his medical education, graduating with the 1913 class of the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Waring, an internist, served as head of the University's Department of Medicine from 1933-1948. He was active in the Colorado Foundation for Research in Tuberculosis, and negotiated the affiliation of the Foundation with the School of Medicine in 1949. The Foundation is now known as the Webb-Waring Institute, located at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center campus. Dr. Waring's life has been chronicled in A Medical Gentleman: James J. Waring, M.D. by Patricia Paton (WZ 100 W276P 1993 Waring Collection stacks).