Historical Services

About the Collections

Ebling Library holds one of the preeminent collections of rare and antiquarian health sciences books in the country. Ranging in date from the late fifteenth century to the early twentieth century, the collection encompasses the development of western medicine and related disciplines as recorded in books, journals, and pamphlets.

Titles in the collection can be found by searching the Library Catalog where their location is identified as "Ebling Library Historical Vault". Guidelines for access to these materials can be found on the Using the Collections page.

Rare books in the Historical Collections have been acquired over time in large part due to generous donations from benefactors. Their contributions continue to represent some of the best items in the collection, and they illuminate general subject strengths, such as anatomy and vaccination, which we continue to collect. The collections have also grown through the timely purchase of major groups of materials, made possible by further donations and skillful pursuit by former health sciences librarians, like Helen Crawford. For a look at a few of these collections and the stories behind them, choose from the links below:

PLEASE NOTE: The Historical Reading Room is currently CLOSED for summer 2025. Researchers wishing to read from the historical collections may reach out to the History of Health Sciences Librarian. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Using the Collections

The Historical Reading Room is open to all patrons of Ebling Library and to researchers working in the Library's historical collections.

Reading room hours are dependent upon staffing availability. If you would like to research from the historical collections, we strongly recommend making an appointment by emailing the History of Health Sciences Librarian, Hannah Swan.

If you are in need of an item listed in the Library Catalog that indicates “Ebling Library Historical Vault” please complete our online form. The item will be retrieved for you to consult in the Historical Reading Room.

Use Policies

Historical Services provides access to rare books and documents that are often fragile and in need of special handling to ensure their preservation. All patrons are required to sign a Handling and Use Policy to use the Reading Room, including those not consulting historical materials. Signing the policy indicates an acknowledgment of the following guidelines:

• All external visitors must check in at Health Sciences Learning Center Room 3310 before entering the Historical Reading Room.
• There is to be no food around collection materials, including gum and cough drops.
• There are to be no drinks (including water) around collection materials.
• Pens are not to be used around collection materials.
• Bags, coats, and heavy jackets are not allowed in the Historical Reading Room or other secure collections areas.
• Patrons must wash hands before handling materials.
• Flash photography is not permitted anywhere in the collections.
• All electronic devices must be silenced when in the Historical Reading Room.
• Nitrile gloves must be used when handling photographic, vellum, or metal materials, or as directed by a staff member.
• All bound materials must be consulted in cradles, regardless of age or condition.
• Some materials may be unavailable for consultation due to restrictions related to content or condition of items.
• Materials may not be transferred from one researcher to another without consent of Ebling staff member.
• Manuscripts must be maintained by the reader in the order in which they are received. If errors of arrangement or identification are noted, please inform an Ebling staff member.

Historical Research Guide

The Research Guide for the History of the Health Sciences can get you started with various primary and database resources. Please contact Hannah Swan for further assistance.

The easiest way to locate historical materials held by Ebling is to search in the UW-Madison Library Catalog for your preferred search terms, then to filter by library and sort by date. Most materials dating to 1923 and earlier will be held in the Vault.

Jan Bleuland, Icones anatomico-physiologicae partium corporis humani et animalium... (1826).

Historical Materials Request Form

Please use this form to request materials listed as "Ebling Library Historical Vault" in the Library Catalog. You may add a preferred date to visit the Reading Room to consult the materials or indicate whether you are looking for reproduction services. Please note that reproduction orders are subject to item condition and staff availability.

Visitor Information

The Historical Reading Room is currently only open by appointment. To make an appointment to view materials from the historical collections, please email the History of Health Sciences Librarian Hannah Swan or submit a Vault Request form.

Getting to the Library

The Historical Reading Room is located on the south side of Ebling Library's third floor. All visitors must check in with the attending librarian in Room 3310 before using collection items. Storage is provided for bags, coats, drinks, and other materials not permitted in the Reading Room.

Visitor parking is available in Lot 75 and Lot 76. Visitor parking rates can be found on the University of Wisconsin's Transportation website.

Several bus routes run regularly to the Health Sciences Learning Center, including the 28, 38, 65, C, and J lines, as well as the free campus bus lines 80 and 84.

Those patrons joining us by bike will find ample bike parking on the north and east sides of the building, as well as parking for B-Cycle shared e-bikes across the street at the School of Nursing.