The in-depth work of a medical reference librarian begins with a question, like What’s the differential diagnosis of compartment syndrome? (Or something like that.) Once asked, Angie (or any one of the reference librarians) goes into sleuth mode to find very specific detailed results. As a liaison to the nursing program, Angie provides nurses and students with evidence-based research to help them make decisions about changing procedures – or not changing them as the case might be.
Angie also organized and arranged Dana’s medical history collection, which includes rare books from as far back as 1598 as well as archaic devices like a solid pewter bedpan and skull hole punchers (all given call numbers). I highly recommend a visit to see them in all their glory and creepiness.
The instruments make me think of “The Elephant Man” for some reason, which happens to be one of the 4,900 DVD movies available from Lori and the cinema-savvy staff in Media Services, a place where technology is sprouting as rapidly as new releases. Take your pick of 8,000 videos, or 6,000 albums, or 3,000 compact discs. Don’t know what to get? See the staff picks, or ask Lori directly. Despite her busy schedule, she’s always willing to talk shop.
If you don’t have the equipment necessary to watch her recommendation, you can watch (or listen) in-house. And if you want to make your own movie, Media Services can hook you up with a camera and an editing suite. The supply room is organized so meticulously that whatever you want is at ready to go when you want it.
Maybe I should rent “Hamlet” and find out what Horatio didn't know.
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