The University of Iowa, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences

Located on the campus of The University of Iowa in Iowa City (the “Athens of the Midwest”) The Hardin Library for the Health Sciences actively disseminates health sciences information to the students, faculty and staff of the University of Iowa in support of education, research, and health care.  The library is named to honor Robert C. Hardin, who served the University health community for nearly four decades in various leadership capacities and who spearheaded the efforts to build the library now named in his honor.

Situated in the heart of the Health Sciences Campus the library serves the combined needs of the Colleges of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, the Graduate Program in Hospital and Health Administration, the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (including related allied-health education programs), and the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology.

To provide active outreach to the health campus and beyond, Hardin librarians maintain an extensive and active liaison program.  By means of its “Hardin House Calls” service, staff members offer on-on-one consultation services, classroom instruction, and small group presentations to suit the needs of its users.  Librarians are active members of the larger health sciences communities and in many cases serve as adjunct faculty members within their constituent groups. 

The Hardin Library is home to two "Information Commons”-- state-of-the-art computing facilities that provide a central support and delivery venue for courseware development, classroom instruction, health-related research, and independent learning.  The Information Commons boasts several high-end multimedia development workstations, two networked 50-seat electronic classrooms, information research workstations for searching health-related databases and the internet. The entire building is also equipped for wireless internet access throughout. 

Of special note is The John Martin Rare Book Room, located on the fourth floor, and home to one of the finest collections of classical medical works in the region.  The collection includes books from as early as 1470 and provides a rich source of material for medical historians, classicists, and medievalists who use these resources regularly.  The room is also actively promoted throughout the state through lectures and presentations tailored to the special needs of interested groups.  Several digitization projects have also been completed to make available images selected from the collection. Another noteworthy resource is the Hardin MetaDirectory (“Hardin MD”).  First launched in 1996 as a source to find the best lists, or directories, of information in health and medicine, it remains one of the most heavily consulted and highly respected web sites in the country, receiving over three million hits per month. 

Over the years, the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences has established a sterling reputation for providing the best in services and resources and is recognized around the country for innovation and leadership.  We look forward to maintaining and enhancing this tradition of excellence and distinction.