As a developing library collection with a museum component, the History Collections of the Laupus Library collects, catalogs, preserves, and displays materials relevant to the history of health care. Collections include historical materials from medicine, nursing, the allied health sciences, dentistry, pharmacology, and public health. Materials of worldwide interest dating from the sixteenth century into the twenty-first century are already part of this growing collection.
A special focus of the History Collections is on primary care practices in eastern North Carolina. In keeping with this focus, the Laupus Library supports an Oral History Program through which interviews with long-time health care providers are recorded and archived. Historical materials relating to minority health care and minority health care professionals are of particular interest to the program.
There are both circulating and non-circulating sections of the History Collections. Although materials housed inside the History Collections Reading Room are non-circulating, clients may request photocopies of these materials. Document delivery charges apply.
The collections include over 6,200 monographs, 200 artifacts, and a growing collection of oral history tapes, transcripts, and videos. Significant microfilm holdings include the Adelaide Nutting Historical Nursing Collection, Early American Medical Imprints, and American Medical Periodicals.
Please call to schedule an appointment to view or study materials that are housed inside the History Collections Reading Room.
