Information for First Time Visitors

• Overview of Historical Collections
• Are you planning your first visit to the History of Medicine Reading Room?
  • How to make your research visit productive
  • Before you come to the Library
  • Things to do and see at the Library
  • Things to do and see at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • Things to do and see around Washington
  • Ask a Reference Librarian

• Overview of Historical Collections

  NLM historical collections of material related to health and disease are among the richest in the world. Holdings include pre-1914 books, pre-1871 journals, archives and modern manuscripts, medieval and Islamic manuscripts, a collection of printed books, manuscripts, and visual material in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean; historical prints, photographs, films, and videos; pamphlets, dissertations, theses, college catalogs, and government documents. The collection is constantly growing, with new material added through an active Acquisitions Program of purchase and donation.

  • Books and Journals
  • Archives and Manuscripts
  • Prints and Photographs
  • Films and Videos
  • Digital Collections

• Are you planning your first visit to the History of Medicine Reading Room?

  • How to make your research visit productive:

    • See the Visit Us page for directions, hours, parking, and security information.
    • Browse our FAQs to find answers to frequently asked questions.
    • Explore our Information for Scholars page, with special attention to Doing Research at the Library.

  • Before you come to the Library:

    • Read The Story of NLM Historical Collections.
    • See What's Happening on the Homepage.
    • Review visitor information at Visit Us.

  • Things to do and see in the Library:

    • Visit the current exhibition, Native Voices: Native Peoples’ Concept of Health and Illness.
    • Take a guided tour of the current exhibition.
    • Take a tour of the History of Medicine Reading Room.
    • See all exhibitions.
    • Take a tour of the Library.
    • "Turn the pages" of Elizabeth Blackwell's A Curious Herbal, a beautifully illustrated 18th century book of medicinal plants, at the History of Medicine Reading Room's Turning the Pages kiosk.
    • Explore Objects of Art in the National Library of Medicine.
    • Visit the interactive computer displays and pick up give-aways at the NLM Visitors Center, open weekdays except Federal holidays, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (EST)

  • Things to do and see at the National Institutes of Health (NIH Map):

    • The DeWitt Stetten, Jr., Museum of Medical Research

  • Things to do and see around Washington

    • Visit Historic Medical Sites in the Washington, DC Area