Duke University students, faculty, and other researchers are welcome to study in the History of Medicine Collections. You are encouraged to make an appointment to ensure the collection will be open. New library patrons will be asked upon their first visit to read the reading room policies and fill out a registration card. With each visit, patrons will need to present a Duke identification card or another form of identification with a recent photograph and a current address. The reading room is accessible to the handicapped, and staff will assist as needed.

Reference and non-circulating rare materials must be used in the reading room. The circulating collection may be checked out at the main service desk by Duke affiliated patrons. Photocopy requests will be handled by the staff on a case-by-case basis. Visitors must request permission from the staff to photograph materials or artifacts.

A call slip must be filled out and submitted at the reference desk for each title a researcher wishes to consult from the locked stacks. Retrieval takes only a matter of minutes. All locked materials must be used with the cradles and snakes (velvet-covered weights) provided. For those researchers consulting manuscripts, paper will be provided. Pencils are the only writing implements allowed in the reading room; however, researchers may bring their laptops.

Researchers are encouraged to acquaint themselves with our holdings by visiting the history of medicine Website, consulting the online catalog, and referring to the guide to information sources. Researchers should use these on-line resources to gather preliminary information needed to identify and locate materials relevant to their work. Staff is available for reference consultations.

Tours of the Trent Room, reading room, and herb garden are available to visitors. While not required, prior arrangements are encouraged.

The History of Medicine Collections is located off the lower lobby of the Medical Center Library in Room 102. The Library is on the walkway between Duke Hospital and the Duke South Clinics. Maps are available. Parking is available in either the Hospital or Clinics parking decks for an hourly fee. Call (919) 660-1144 for information on handicapped parking.