Wangensteen Library

Rare books in the exhibit feature striking images of aquatic natural history, various technologies, and experiences of water and health. The exhibit is open September 11, 2017 through May 18, 2018 during regular library hours at the Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine, 568 Diehl Hall.

Receiving a new acquisition is like opening a much-anticipated present. Earlier this year, the Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine purchased a French manuscript recipe book written in the 1770s. Watch as Curators Lois Hendrickson and Emily Beck - along with their colleague, French historian Margaret Carlyle - open the book for the first time and rediscover informative content and hidden treasures.

Sharpen your pencils and dig out your crayons! It’s time for the second annual #ColorOurCollections event. During February 6-10, the Wangensteen Historical Library will unveil one coloring page each day with an image from their rare book collection. Artists are encouraged to participate and to share their final artwork.

The Health Sciences Libraries are celebrating 2016 with a look back the year's most-read news stories. It has been a memorable year, highlighted by chocolate bars, edible books, fabulous new spaces and services, research at the Minnesota State Fair, and innovation acceleration! Thank you for a great 2016 – filled with customized information solutions from the Health Sciences Libraries.

Texts from the unique and richly illustrated history of early modern medical knowledge and healing in Japan and China are on view for the first time in a fascinating exhibition from the Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine.

For the past several years, Emily Beck - Ph.D. candidate in the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine - has been carving history into a pumpkin. This year, we’re taking a new spin on Beck’s annual tradition as we open up the selection of the carved image to you! Cast your vote between now and Wednesday, October 26.

The Bio-Medical Library welcomed over 200 visitors during its Open House last week. The event showcased the new services and spaces within the library. If you missed the event, here’s a photo journal of the celebrat

Watch Christopher Herzberg from the University of Minnesota's Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine as he makes a 100-percent edible book out of celery, lettuce, and green onions. Visit the Farmers Market on September 21 to see Herzberg make an edible book in-person.

In honor of the National Park Service Centennial this month, we are highlighting images from Wild Animals of Glacier National Park, part of the Wangensteen Historical Library collection.

Join the Libraries at the State Fair where you can test your health information knowledge, identify weird — and frightening — medical instruments of the past, and get your very own coloring book featuring historical images from our collection. Plus much more!

For plastic surgeons, a detailed pre-operative patient record is important for assessing post-operative results. Plaster casts have long been part of this process. This history is documented within the collections at the Wangensteen Historical Library, which include two plaster facial casts dated 1935.

The Midwives Book, by Jane Sharp, published in 1671, is discussed in this episode of Secrets of the Archives from the University of Minnesota Libraries. It's the first book written in English by a woman for other women, and it covers all stages of giving birth, including pregnancy, labor, child birth, infant care, and more.

Join the Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine on May 24, 2016 for a day-long symposium on historical recipes. From food and medicines to textile dyes and invisible ink, recipes permeate manuscript and print culture across the temporal scale. This symposium will bring together scholars from the Twin Cities community to discuss the diverse ways they use recipes in their work and encourage the development of new ideas about using recipes in public spaces, teaching, and scholarship.

Test your knowledge of medicine’s past by taking the Artifact Pop Quiz developed by the University of Minnesota Foundation. The quiz features some of the 1,000+ artifacts from the Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine.

The end of the semester is upon us, but never fear, Stress Busters are here. Relax while you learn at the University Libraries, where you can find quiet study, group spaces, 24/7 hours, and fun activities to help reduce your stress during finals.