140 years of medical history donated to Notre Dame

Document Type

Media Release

Publication Date

Summer 27-2-2008

Publisher Name

The University of Notre Dame, Sydney Campus

Publication Place

Sydney

Abstract

140 years of medical history will now be housed at The University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney’s newest library.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has donated, to the University, a collection of over 3,300 books dating from 1830 to 1970, which will be kept at the Darlinghurst site’s Medical and Nursing library.

The collection was previously kept in the Library of the Royal College of Physicians, but size restrictions meant it needed to be relocated. The AMA contacted Notre Dame, deciding that the University was the most suitable recipient for the collection.

Librarian, Alexander Sussman, said these historical books are a link, for students and researchers, between the practice of medicine in years past and the current state of understanding.

“Students will be able to study how changing practices and skills have contributed to the present state of medical wisdom.

“The quality of the collection is outstanding and includes many valuable textbooks from Australian authors. All aspects of medicine are covered and all titles will be catalogued with a note about the original source of the donation,” said Mr Sussman.

The Darlinghurst library is the newest at the University and the collection currently comprises of textbooks and research material in medicine and nursing. There is also a growing collection of items focusing on the relationship between theology, ethics and medicine.

The new historical items will be ready for viewing by the end of March. In order it preserve the older material the books will not be available for general loan, but can be used in the Library.

Media contact:

Moira Saunders 08 9433 0611, 0408 959 138

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