The medical library of the University of Rochester Medical Center made its humble first home on the second floor of the Research Laboratory, also referred to as the Animal House, from 1923 to 1925. The Research Laboratory was the first building to be constructed for the School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD). During these early years of the library’s establishment, it was the founding dean, George H. Whipple, who insisted upon a strong central library resource for learning and knowledge. He recognized that the library would serve the entire Medical Center as a vital part of all the work done here. As a result, its permanent physical home was set in the center of the medical complex in the fall of 1925 when SMD opened.
The library’s collections were built through a combination of purchases and gifts. Various other medical libraries, including Boston Medical Library, Grovesnor Library of Buffalo, and New York Academy of Medicine, donated their duplicate books and journals. Purchases were made through the Library Committee, which was originally chaired by Dr. George E. Corner. A substantial donation for building the collections was given by Dr. Edward Mulligan, a prominent surgeon in Rochester, New York. Mulligan donated $15,000 over three years (1926-1928) to purchase volumes illustrating the history of medicine. With that donation, Corner began the basis for today’s History of Medicine Section within Miner Library. Over the last 100 years many faculty members of the Medical Center and local institutions have donated books and/or funds to the medical library to grow its collections and support the work of the librarians.
Edward G. Miner, who was a trustee for the University of Rochester, had a great interest in libraries and, in May 1927, he donated his collection of early works on yellow fever. Miner continued to add to this collection, as well as volumes on other communicable diseases, until his death in 1958. In recognition of his services to the University of Rochester and its libraries, the Medical Library was named in honor of Edward G. Miner in December, 1952.
Miner Library’s staff and librarians continue to provide high-quality service to the Medical Center and beyond through library acquisitions, reference services, interlibrary loan and circulation services, instruction, and more. Miner’s current team is comprised of hard-working, dedicated individuals who ensure the success of all who enter the library, either physically or virtually. As our mission states, we provide answers and expertise to help you work, learn, and achieve success.
If you find yourself at the Medical Center on October 2, 2025, please join us in celebrating our birthday with cake and coffee in Miner Library from 10am to 1pm. The History of Medicine Section is hosting an open house at the time for our latest exhibit, A Century of Research and Education Innovation, which begins our year-long celebration of the centennial of the University of Rochester Medical Center.