The HSLS Rare Book and Special Collections contain more than 11,000 publications and artifacts. A true gem in Falk Library, this unique collection is typically only accessible by appointment—until now.
Join us for a behind-the-scenes look into the collection with a new, virtual series, via the HSLS YouTube channel:
Episode 1: Enhancing Medical Teaching with Illustrations presents several books from our collections with unusual illustrations. Evoking the topic of teaching enhancements is just an excuse to show how quickly new innovative techniques and technological inventions were adapted in medical books. The chosen examples could be compared to early adopters of new technologies today.
Premiered: February 18, 2021
Run time: 19:37
Episode 2: What is Rare There? The question “What is Rare There?” is often asked. People are curious what the library has and what a rare book is. Our expert explains the criteria of inclusion of books in the rare book collection. During the discussion, our expert shares some of the most notable rarities from the collection.
Premiered: March 31, 2021
Run time: 27:14
Episode 3: Musings on Manuscripts Gosia Fort, PhD, shares a glimpse of the unpublished items in HSLS rare books and special collections. All presented materials are hand made, unique, and have some local interest. They are like vignettes of School of Medicine past, its people, and its collections.
Premiered: May 28, 2021
Run time: 26:35
Episode 4: Anatomy with Italian Twist Before modern technology, anatomy was studied and taught using anatomical illustrations. This episode features illustrations that were authored or published in Italy during the 16th through 19th centuries. A true mix of science and art, these Italian anatomical atlases are fascinating depictions of the complex human body.
Premiered: July 29, 2021
Run time: 26:50
Episode 5: Medical Classics Medical classics are some of the most important books in medical history, representing a breakthrough, a stepping-stone, or a canon to follow in the practice of medicine. Authors such as Hippocrates and Galen are well-known and thoroughly studied for their contributions. As important and influential as these works are, we examine in this episode the interesting journey our copies of the books have made. These books often traveled with their owners across continents, some coming out worse for the wear. A tattered book can often tell an interesting story of the centuries it has seen.
Premiered: November 12, 2021
Run time: 27:14