Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine

The Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, one of the largest medical libraries in the world, serves the Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston Medical Library and the Massachusetts Medical Society. The Countway Library holds more than 630,000 volumes, subscribes to 3,500 current journal titles and houses over 10,000 non-current biomedical journal titles. The library also houses one of the world's leading medical history collections, and provides access to many electronic information resources.

The Countway hosts The Center for the History of Medicine, which includes Archives and Records Management Program for the schools of the Harvard medical area, and the Warren Anatomical Museum.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Countway Library of Medicine is to foster the advancement of education, research, scholarship and professional practice in medicine, biological sciences, public health and dentistry by:

Assuring access and linkage to the world’s literature in the biomedical and relevant social sciences
Exploring and promoting effective utilization of information and knowledge
Educating library users in the principles and techniques of information management
Preserving an historical record through its scholarly, rare book and archival collection
Creating a stimulating and synergistic setting for intellectual growth

Conduct Policy

General Conduct: Countway Library is committed to providing a safe, comfortable, and clean environment to its users. Library users are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with these goals, as well as all University policies and applicable laws. Prohibited activities include (but are not limited to):

Loud or disruptive behavior
Harassment, threatening, or dangerous behavior
Destruction or defacement of library materials, equipment or facilities
Theft of library materials
Limiting or preventing access to resources by means of theft, vandalism, or misplacement of library materials

Food and drink : Beverages in covered or closed containers are permitted throughout most of the library. Food may be eaten in the user lounge on L2. There is no food or drink permitted in the Center for the History of Medicine.

Cell phones: Talking on cell phones is permitted in the 1st Floor lobby, the 5th Floor, and in closed study rooms. Cell phone use is not permitted in the Russell Reading Room, the 2nd Floor Reference area, or the open stacks/study areas on L1, L2, and the 3rd Floor.

Fliers and signs: May be posted in the copy areas on each floor. All postings must be dated. Any fliers or signs more than a month old or without a date are subject to removal.

Disruptive or illegal behavior may result in temporary suspension or permanent revocation of library privileges, referral to appropriate academic or administrative authorities, or prosecution.

Joint Library Committee (2011)

Charge: The Joint Committee of the Countway Medical Library was reconfigured in 1988 to provide advice and counsel to the Dean of Harvard Medical School, Trustees of the Boston Medical Library, and the Countway Librarian on matters of specific and common concern between the Boston Medical Library and Harvard University. The Joint Library Committee serves as the formal advisory committee to the Countway. The committee meets bimonthly and is composed of five members from the Harvard Medical School faculty, five members appointed by the Boston Medical Library, of whom at least two shall be Massachusetts Medical Society appointees, the Countway Directors’ and the Harvard University Librarian serving ex-officio. The members are as follows:

HMS members:
Dr. Mitchell Rabkin
Dr. Thomas N. Byrne
Dr. Paul S. Russell
Dr. Joan Ruderman
[TBN]

BML members:
Dr. Subramanyan Jayasankar, Chair
Dr. Deanna Ricker
Dr. Herbert Gramm
Dr. Mary Jane Houlihan
Dr. Margaret Lawler

Ex-officio members:
Dr. Isaac Kohane, Director, Countway Library
Dr. Alexa McCray, Associate Director, Countway Library
Dr. Robert Darnton, Harvard University Librarian
Dr. Jules Dienstag, Dean for Medical Education, HMS
Rick Mills, Executive Dean for Administration

Invited guests:
Dr. Scott Podolsky, Director, Center for the History of Medicine
Roz Vogel, Recording Secretary

For additional information please see:

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