A History of Library Services at City of Hope: Part II

The new library building, October 1, 1963
[Courtesy of City of Hope Archives]

Nineteen forty-six marked a turning point for City of Hope. At the first post-war convention, leaders and supporters approved the ambitious plan to build a national medical center thus embarking on a new era. The plan included a medical center to diagnose and treat all types of diseases (not just tuberculosis), a research department, training for medical personnel, and an educational program.

The library, which initially began as a service for patients, now needed to expand to meet the needs of the growing clinical and research staff. As early as 1952 a designated medical library existed and throughout the 1950s and early 1960s demand grew. Building collections was an ongoing challenge. Staff researchers and clinicians donated journals and books to help supplement journal and book purchases. A key donor and supporter was Dr. George Piness, a member of City of Hope’s Research Advisory Board and Medical Advisory Board. In recognition of his ongoing service to the institution the library was formally named the George Piness Medical Library in late 1957.

Staff using collections in the new library building, October 1, 1963
[Courtesy of City of Hope Archives]

As library collections and staffing needs expanded so did the need for adequate space. First housed in the Warner building, the library relocated to the De Vorkin building in 1957. The library moved into dedicated space in 1963.   Named the George Piness Medical-Scientific Library, the new facility comprised 3,000 square feet of space (doubling the space at the previous location) and featured a reading room for current journals, eight study rooms, and new processing and work areas.*

*Archives sources include the library collection of materials, Piness Medical Library, 1953 – 1966; the City of Hope Medical Research Institute Descriptive Pamphlet, 1956-1957; and the City of Hope, A Pilot Medical Center, 1963 Gold Anniversary Convention Proceedings.

Stay tuned. Part III of this series will catch us up to the establishment of the current Lee Graff Medical and Scientific Library.