About Us

Cleveland Health Sciences Library

The Cleveland Health Sciences Library (CHSL) serves as the library system for the Schools of Medicine, Dental Medicine, Nursing, and the Departments of Biology and Nutrition. 

The Cleveland Health Sciences Library was formed in 1965 by an agreement between the Cleveland Medical Library Association (CMLA) and Western Reserve University. CHSL operates in two locations: The Allen Memorial Medical Library, which has a collection of clinical books and journals, basic sciences, nursing, dentistry, and biology books, journals, audiovisuals, microforms, as well as a collection of rare and historical books; and the The Health Education Campus Library, which is a quiet study area, and the place where students can check out books on reserve for courses. The combined collections total over 430,000 volumes including electronics and collectibles, with print and electronic journal subscriptions numbering in excess of 60,000, electronic books numbering over 60,000 and print books numbering over 118,500. Personal and institutional members of the CMLA and faculty, students and staff of CWRU have borrowing privileges. The Cleveland Health Sciences Library serves as a resource library in the Greater Midwest Region of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine. CHSL also participates in OhioLINK, OHIONET, and OCLC.

In addition, the Allen Memorial Medical Library is home to the Dittrick Medical History Center (College of Arts and Sciences) and its archives, medical artifacts, and books on the history of medicine. The Allen has two technology supported classrooms, one large conference room (often used for courses), three large quiet study rooms, and main reading room. The first technology supported classroom is the Ford Auditorium, with a seating capacity of 472, and is supported by University Technology (UTech) and Level 2 technology classroom. The second technology classroom is the Herrick Room, with a capacity of 24, and a UTech Level 1 classroom. Case Western Reserve University's wireless network is available throughout all library spaces. The two combined library spaces are open 167 hours per week. The CHSL staff includes 4 FTE librarians, and 3 FTE paraprofessional and technical staff.