See also:
* Library staff
* Library and Archive refurbishment project
* Filming in Queen Square Library and Archive.
There are printed records mentioning the existence of an established medical library at Queen Square as early as the National Hospital’s Annual Report of 1923.
The use of the name “Rockefeller Medical Library" appears to have begun in about 1956. A number of hospital wards were renamed in that year to honour past members of consultant staff and,
“The Institute decided that the library should be called the Rockefeller Library in view of the interest shown by the Rockefeller Foundation and its financial support of the hospital, especially its substantial contribution to the cost of building the Queen Mary Wing.”
The substantial contribution of £60,000 from the Rockefeller Foundation was received in 1936, following an appeal from the National Hospital in 1935. In the original appeal plans for library improvements were mentioned:
“The Hospital has already a reference library of neurological textbooks, monographs and periodicals. Sixteen English, American and foreign journals are now received regularly. A room where these journals and books may conveniently be consulted by the students would be an invaluable aid to their clinical and pathological studies.”
The Library moved into its current accommodation on the 1st Floor of no.23 Queen Square in 1980-81, when the University purchased the freehold of the building. Prior to this, the Library had been located in Alexandra House, but it is not clear exactly which year the Library space in Alexandra House was established.
An additional room was added within the Library space in 1982 (named the Hallpike Room after the family who donated the funds)
A refurbishment in 1995 during which several partitions were removed in order to improve access to stock, install a security system and increase shelf space and reader spaces.
In the first half of 2010 the library underwent a major refurbishment to create the library you see today. The Library re-opened with the name Queen Square Library, Archive and Museum, in recognition of its new and continuing roles across the whole of Queen Square.
Read more about the refurbishment project.
Successful Wellcome (Research Resources in Medical History) bid to preserve and catalogue Archive collections.
Queen Square Library shortlisted for SCONUL Library design award.
On Monday 22nd June 2015, we were joined by members of Louise Shepherd’s family, and many colleagues from across Queen Square and UCL Libraries past and present, to mark the renaming of the Archives “pod” as the Louise Shepherd Room and the fifth anniversary of the re-opening of the Library. The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of a new commemorative plaque on the Archives “pod” in Louise’s memory. Photos of the refurbishment and renaming event
Hosted launch of Queen Square: A History of the National Hospital and its Institute of Neurology.
Organised Shell Shock beyond the War – A European perspective:: international symposium.