Facts & Figures
About our Library
Historical Highlights
| 1825 | First medical books purchased by Thomas Jefferson, housed in Rotunda. |
| 1837-39 | Medical books housed in Anatomical Theater |
| 1895 | All medical books lost in Rotunda Fire; donations of new books help rebuild collection. |
| 1975 | Current library building completed, incorporating Medical Library and Nursing Library |
| 1989 | Library card catalog computerized; Library offers miniMEDLINE |
| 1992 | Library installs full MEDLINE, subsequently other OVID databases |
| 1992 | Library computer classroom dedicated. |
| 1992 | Outreach information services begin in southwestern and western Virginia |
| 1996 | Next generation library system implemented - SIRSI and Webcat |
| 1996 | Library building expansion and renovation funds obtained |
| 1996 | Library assumes responsibility for managing the Health System Web site |
| 1997 | OVID Web Gateway established |
| 1998 | First major acquisition of electronic journals and online textbooks added |
| 1999 | Renovation and expansion begins |
| 2002 | Library building renovation completed |
| 2003 |
Completion of the Philip S. Hench Walter Reed Yellow Fever Collection website |
| 2004 | Liaison program expanded to include hospital-based departments |
| 2005 | Linda Watson leaves and Gretchen Arnold is appointed Interim Director & Assoc. Dean |
| 2005 | Class of 1955 generously donates $250,000 to the library |
| 2006 | 13 group study rooms are carved out of the space formerly occupied by the book collection |
| 2009 | All library print materials are moved to compact shelving in the Cabell Room |
| 2009 | Reference Desk is retired. Library operates with one service desk. |
| 2010 | The library begins lending iPads |
| 2010 | Library expands after hours area |
| 2010 | Library's Facebook page is launched |
| 2011 | First Thursdays in the Library series runs monthly through 2012, then returns in 2014 |
| 2012 | BioConnector opens on the first floor of the library to promote collaborations |
| 2013 | Library partners with Public Health Sciences to create a trial PHS@TheLibrary service |
| 2013 | Library purchases a 3D printer |
| 2013 |
Library opens 6 new study rooms in after-hours space |
| 2014 | Library enters the world of digital health and begins lending Fitbits. |
| 2015 |
Library opens Patient & Family Library in lobby of the University Hospital |
| 2016 | Library offers former staff office space to UVA Hospital for use as their Be Safe Situation Room |
| 2017 | Library introduces the MILL, a suite of spaces designed to promote innovative thinking and creation |
| 2017 |
Library serves as a Family Assistance Center to support Health System response to August 12 tragic events |
| 2018 |
Patient & Family Library closes and space is turned over to Patient & Guest Services |
| 2020 | Gretchen Arnold makes the call to close the Library midway through the day on Wednesday, March 18th due to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| 2020 | Library re-opens to UVA Health badge holders on Monday, May 18th, with reduced seating and services. Service Desk hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. |
| 2020 | Be Safe Situation Room is turned back over to the Library. |
| 2020 | Gretchen Arnold retires, and Bart Ragon is appointed interim director. |
| 2020 | Library expands after hours space to include lobby and first floor. |
| 2021 | Library re-opens to all patrons on August 2nd. Service Desk hours remain at Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. |
| 2022 | Due to the omicron variant, UVA Health implements greater visitation restrictions. As a result, the Library restricts access to only UVA Health badge holders on January 3rd. |
| 2022 | Library opens back up to the public on March 3rd. |
| 2022 | Bart Ragon appointed library director. Dan Wilson is appointed deputy director. |
| 2023 | Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion staff occupy former HIT computer room on 2nd floor in August. |
| 2023 | Library announces that Embase, Covidence, and VisualDx are being added to the collection. |
| 2024 | New redesigned website released on August 5th. Lead project managers were Anson Parker and Kimberley Barker. |
Quick Facts
| 8,348 | Primary Users Served |
| 24/7 | Hours Open per Week to UVA Health Affiliates |
| 45 | Hours Open per Week to non-UVA Health Affiliates |
| 5 | Personnel - Faculty |
| 21 | Total Personnel |
| 112,329 | Book and Journal Volumes |
| 3,890 | Current Electronic Journals |
| 72,000 sq ft | Space (Gross) |