History of Fordham Health Sciences Library

Summary Of Early Years

The Fordham Health Sciences Library was founded as part of the development of Wright State's School of Medicine in 1974. It was originally envisioned as a graduate life sciences library, and was administered separately from the University Library. Housing for the growing collection was provided by the Dayton Public Library in its downtown location; the collection was later moved to the lower level of the Biological Sciences Building on the Wright State campus. In January 1977 the library moved into the new School of Medicine building, occupying three floors and approximately 40% of that building. A major endowment was received from Thelma Fordham Pruett, and the new library was named in honor of her first husband, Thomas B. Fordham, Sr., and her only child, Thomas B. Fordham, Jr. An additional endowment in honor of Mrs. Pruett was received from Abner I. Pruett for the rare book collection of the library.

Fordham's Unique Qualities

• The only academic health sciences library in the Dayton area
• Serves as a Resource Library within the Greater Midwest Region/National Network of Libraries of Medicine.
• The collections and services were planned to complement those of the existing hospital libraries.
• The Fordham collection's primary emphasis is the basic sciences rather than the clinical sciences.
• Special Collections include:
  • The Ross A. McFarland Collection in aerospace medicine and human factors engineering
  • The A. Howard Hasbrook Collection in Crash Injury Research
  • The Aerospace Medical Association Archives
  • The International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine Archives
  • The William Thornton NASA Collection
  • Dorothy Brower Collection in medical illustration
  • Local and regional medical history

Library name changes

• School of Medicine Library (1974)
• Fordham Library (1977)
• Fordham Health Sciences Library (1984)

Library Administration through the years

• 2002- :  Stephen P. Foster, University Librarian
  • 1999- : Sheila G. Shellabarger, Associate University Librarian, Public Services
• 1996-2001: Victoria A. Montavon, Associate Provost for Libraries and Information Services
  • 1999- : Sheila G. Shellabarger, Associate University Librarian, Fordham Health Sciences Library
  • 1991-1999: Sarah S. Timmons, Associate University Librarian, Fordham Health Sciences Library
• 1991-1995: Arnold Hirshon, University Librarian
  • 1991-1999: Sarah S. Timmons, Associate University Librarian, Fordham Health Sciences Library
• 1990-1991: Sarah S. Timmons, Acting Health Sciences Librarian
• 1982-1990: Audrey J. Kidder, Health Sciences Librarian
• 1974-1982: Raymond A. Palmer, Health Sciences Librarian

Historical Highlights

• 1978: School of Professional Psychology founded and became primary clientele of Fordham Library
• 1979: Libraries of Fels Research Institute (Yellow Springs) and Cox Heart Institute (Kettering) came under the direction of the Fordham Library; the three libraries together were known as the WSU Health Sciences Library
• 1981: School of Nursing collection moved from University Library to Fordham
• 1982: Rare Book Room renamed the Thelma Fordham Pruett Rare Book Room
• 1983-1984: Cox and Fels Libraries closed and unique holdings were moved to Fordham, which was renamed the Fordham Health Sciences Library
• early 1980's: Cooperative Online Library System (COLS) was established by the University Library, Fordham Library, and seven of the affiliated hospital libraries to develop a shared online catalog and patron database. Conversion to this system began in 1985, using the Data Research Associates (DRA) system
• 1985: established Computer Education Center (CEC) in space transferred from School of Medicine
• 1987: first use of CD-ROM technology for bibliographic searching by patrons
• 1991: Wright State University Libraries was created from the reorganization of the Paul Laurence Dunbar Library (formerly University Library) and the Fordham Health Sciences Library. The Administrative Services and Central Services (including automation and technical services) of the two libraries were integrated and housed in the Dunbar building. Each library maintained its own Public Services departments.
• 1992: converted computer catalog to OhioLINK, using Innovative Interfaces (III) system
• 1994: began moving older volumes to Southwestern Ohio Regional Depository
• 1994/95: remodeling changed previous locations of several areas:
  • one service desk for both print and AV circulation
  • AV collections and equipment moved to first floor
  • Computer Education Center (CEC) moved to first floor
  • Special Collections & Archives established in one location in lower level, from three locations on first and second floors
  • After Hours Study Room for SOM students opened in lower level
• 1998/99: Lower level remodeled to include 3 SOM classrooms, a tunnel to the new University Administration building, and to expand the After Hours Study area.
  • History of Medicine circulating collection moved to the second floor.
• 1999/2000: Computer Education Center closed and area remodeled to provide additional group study.
• 2003: Wireless Internet access added.
• 2005: Reference area remodeled to provide better online access and current periodical browsing.