Description
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Collection
Title
Estelle Brodman Oral History
Date(s)
Extent
0.05 Linear Feet
Name of creator
Biographical history
Estelle Brodman (1914-2007) served as an Assistant librarian for reference service at the National Library of Medicine, 1949-1961. She became the Library Director and Professor of Medical History at Washington University School of Medicine in 1961, and served in these positions until her retirement in 1981. Brodman served as the Editor of the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association from 1947-1957, and as President of the Medical Library Association, 1964-1965.
Scope and content
In her 1978 oral history interview, Dr. Brodman explains her pursuit of a degree in Library Science, her two years at Columbia University, and her early career in the Medical Library Association. Dr. Brodman then discusses her career at the National Library of Medicine and the differences between the Army Medical Library of the 1940s and the National Library of Medicine of the 1970s. She mentions the development of MEDLARS and GRACE and the demise of the Index Catalog. Dr. Brodman tells of coming to Washington University School of Medicine Library and changes in libraries over the decades. The several interviewers next respond to Dr. Brodman’s questions about the changes in the Washington University School of Medicine Library. The interview ends with Estelle Brodman’s statement on how fulfilling and exciting medical librarianship has been for her.
In her 1981 oral history interview, Dr. Brodman explains how she came to enter medical librarianship and the School of Library Service at Columbia University. She describes her early professional experiences at the Cornell University Nursing School Library, the main library of Columbia University and its medical library. There is a section on Dr. Brodman’s experiences at the Army Medical Library—National Library of Medicine from 1949 to 1961 and the changes during that period. Dr. Brodman discusses the history of the Medical Library Association and its relationship with the National Library of Medicine. She also details her involvement in the MLA – as editor of the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association, the development of the MLA Oral History Project, and her term as president and on various committees. Brodman discusses her decision to leave the National Library of Medicine and come to the Washington University School of Medicine Library in 1961 and her 20 years there. In addition, Brodman discusses her experiences serving as a consultant nationally and internationally, and changes in medical librarianship over the course of her long career.
System of arrangement
Conditions governing access
The collection is open and accessible for research.
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Users of the collection should read and abide by the Rights and Permissions guidelines at the Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives.
Users of the collection who wish to cite items from this collection, in whole or in part, in any form of publication must request, sign, and return a Statement of Use form to the Archives.
For detailed information regarding use of this collection, contact the Archives and Rare Book Department of the Becker Library (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).
Preferred Citation:
Item description, Reference Code, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
- Latin
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Oral history interview (1981): http://beckerexhibits.wustl.edu/oral/interviews/brodman1981.html
Oral history interview (1978): http://beckerexhibits.wustl.edu/oral/interviews/brodman1978.html
Related descriptions
- Brodman, Estelle, Lectureship, Vertical File
- Brodman, Estelle, 1914-2007, Vertical File
- Estelle Brodman Oral History (OH039)
- Estelle Brodman Oral History (OH052)
- Estelle Brodman, Thomas Jefferson and Medicine Lecture Slides
- Estelle Brodman, Body Snatching Lecture Slides
- Estelle Brodman, Scientists as Librarians Slides
- Estelle Brodman Photographs
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Rules or conventions
"Describing Archives: A Content Standard, Second Edition (DACS), 2013."
Sources used
Archivist's note
© Copyright 2019 Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives. All rights reserved.