Description
Louise Marie Darling (1911-1999) received degrees in
Botany (B.A.) from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and Botany
(M.A.) and Librarianship (Certification and Credential) from the University of
California, Berkeley. As a civilian in the U.S. Army Library Service she
supervised Army libraries for Hawaii and the Philippines (1944-1947). After
returning to UCLA, she founded and headed, until her retirement in 1978, the
Biomedical Library which was named for her in 1987. She received many major
awards and honors in the profession of medical librarianship, and consulted
widely. The papers contain correspondence, reports, publication drafts, teaching
materials, plus newspaper clippings, reprints, photographs, and artifacts. The
bulk focuses on Darling's professional accomplishments aside from administration
of the UCLA Biomedical Library. A smaller part pertains to personal matters:
education, positions held, and relations with staff, colleagues, and
family.
Background
Louise Darling received a B.A. in Botany from UCLA, and a General Secondary
Credential, an M.A. in Botany, a Certificate in Librarianship, and a Special
Secondary Credential in Librarianship, all from UC Berkeley. Her early library
experience was conventional: an agricultural economics library at UC Berkeley, a
high school library, and reference at the UCLA Library. Then she took an
interesting detour: accepting a civilian position in the U. S. Army Library
Service, eventually to become Supervisor for Hawaii and the Philippines
(1944-1947). In 1947 Darling inquired about returning to UCLA; she was offered
the opportunity to build a library for the new Medical School at UCLA and for
the Zoology and Botany Departments, all of whose leaders wisely decided that a
joint BIOmedical library would add strength to the campus. Darling fulfilled
their vision superbly, leading her library and its staff to a pioneering,
eminent position among U.S. academic health sciences libraries. Her achievements
are documented by the national reputation of the library she founded and to
which her name is attached, by the number of former staff members heading their
own medical and university libraries, and by the wide love and respect evoked by
her memory.
Extent
6 linear feet
(4 cartons
1 storage box)
Restrictions
There are some restrictions on part of the oral history transcript produced
by the Neuroscience History Program of UCLA [see notes for Box 3-F127 in the
Container List]. Contact the History and Special Collections Division, Louise M.
Darling Biomedical Library, UCLA, for more information.
Availability
The collection is open for research. Access to part of oral history
transcripts is restricted. Contact the History and Special Collections Division,
Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library, UCLA, for information.