Medical Library

I believe that the readers of The Times should be made aware of the impending destruction of another of Los Angeles’ fine libraries. The library of the Los Angeles County Medical Assn. is about to be eviscerated by the actions of a small number of physicians.

The library was established in 1934 when the Barlow Medical Library was transferred to the Los Angeles County Medical Assn. to be maintained in perpetuity. The library and its predecessor have served the needs of this community for over 80 years. It is one of the major medical libraries in the United States with over 87,000 books, 63,600 bound periodical volumes, and subscriptions to 1,000 medical and scientific periodicals. It also houses a remarkable collection of rare books, “Californiana,” and objects of historical importance.

The library’s services are used not only by member physicians, but by students, historians and lawyers. Its resources augment and support the smaller libraries of local and regional hospitals, as well as those of universities and the NASA Johnson Space Center. It is an irreplaceable repository of medical, scientific, historical and cultural documents and its death would be tragic.

The recent experiences of the Los Angeles Main Library and the Hollywood Branch Library have shown us how easily libraries can be damaged or destroyed. Libraries are impossible to restore as each is unique, and the material they house can never be entirely replaced.

The original aim of the Los Angeles County Medical Assn. set forth in its bylaws in 1871 are:

“The development and practice of the art and science of medicine; the conservation and protection of the public health; the betterment of the medical profession; and the interchange of knowledge within the profession.”

It is difficult to envision the continuation of this worthy and altruistic tradition if this library is so wantonly destroyed.

PATRICK A. MAUER, M.D.

Los Angeles