Duke Medical Center Library & Archives News November 2025 Archive

The myRESEARCHnavigators team has launched a new tool to support collaboration and reduce waste across Duke’s research community. SciSwaps is a Microsoft Teams network where researchers can offer surplus supplies or equipment, find items they need, request help from colleagues, and connect with others across campus.

This shared space gives labs and research teams an easy way to stretch budgets, promote sustainability, and build community. Whether you have extra pipette tips or need a piece of small equipment quickly, SciSwaps helps match people who have something with those who need it.

Before participating, users should review the SciSwaps user guide, which includes important information about items purchased with federal grant dollars and restrictions on certain materials…

Categories: For Researchers

The Medical Center Library & Archives and the Office of LeWell would love your help in making the library and School of Medicine feel festive this season. 

Stop by one of our craft stations and add your own creative touch!

What can you do?

• Cut out a paper snowflake to bring a bit of winter indoors.
• Write a message of gratitude to include in a paper chain.

Where to find the stations:

• In the lobby by the puzzle station
• Level 2 by the workstations
• Level 3 by the elevators
   

When you’re finished, place your creations in the box near the craft station…

Live for Life will be at the Library's 212E conference room on Thursday, Nov 20th from 10am-4pm offering a Health Assessment. These are a free, confidential health screening provided through Duke benefits. It includes total cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose, BMI, waist circumference height, weight and body mass index measurements. Additionally, there is a goal setting and referral session with a nurse, dietitian, or fitness specialist. Many participants find the coaching session helps them get started making lifestyle changes and connects them to LIVE FOR LIFE and community resources to support them. Health Assessments are available to all active Duke employees.

Learn your current health risks, schedule a health screening, track your health goals, and…

Categories: Events

Each year, the Duke Medical Center Library & Archives evaluates its electronic subscriptions through a data-driven review to ensure responsible stewardship of our collection funds. These assessments help us provide the most useful resources for Duke Health and Duke University while phasing out subscriptions with consistently low use. 

As a result of this year’s review, access to MedOne Education will end for Duke University users on January 1, 2026. This decision follows several years of usage analysis. 

If you need an article, book, or chapter no longer available at Duke, you may request it through our Document Delivery/Interlibrary Loan Services.

Categories: Alerts, Resource Outages, Resources

November 20th is the Transgender Day of Remembrance. This yearly observance honors the memory of transgender people who were killed due to transphobic violence. TDOR was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated all the transgender people lost to violence since Rita Hester’s death, and began an important tradition that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.

GLAAD has a yearly memoriam of those who have been lost to anti-transgender violence over the years here.

Duke University Libraries has a LGBT Studies Resource Guide with…

Categories: Events

For the past four years, the Duke Medical Center Library & Archives has proudly hosted a holiday book drive to benefit the Durham Public Schools (DPS) Hospital School Library. Last year was our most successful yet—thanks to the enthusiastic participation of students, staff, and faculty, we donated 36 new books to the library!

This year, we’re excited to continue making a difference in the lives of children receiving treatment at Duke University Hospital by expanding the library’s picture book collection.

About the DPS Hospital School
The DPS Hospital School serves children from preschool through 12th grade who are inpatients or outpatients at Duke University Hospital. The school provides a sense…

Categories: Alerts

Fifty years ago the ribbon was cut in the doorway of the new Medical Center Library space in the Seeley G. Mudd Building on November 17, 1975. Prior to this date, the library was housed in the basement of the Duke Hospital. The interiors of the building have changed since 1975 as well as the area that surrounds the library. To celebrate the 50th birthday of our building, we are sharing some photos of our library from 1975 and from today in 2025! 

Then and Now: Entrance to the Library 

Then and Now: 1st floor 

Then and Now: 1st Floor Reading Room

Then and Now: Lobby Area

Then and Now: Stairs to Second Floor

Then…

Categories: History & Archives

Did you know we’ve hosted miniature horses and other fun surprises? Get stories, behind-the-scenes highlights, and important updates delivered straight to your inbox with our quarterly newsletter. If you’re new to Duke or not yet a subscriber, now is a great time to sign up for the Library’s newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram for library tips, event sneak peeks, and amazing archival photos. Follow us online or by searching dukemedlibrary on the Instagram app. 
 

Categories: Alerts, Classes, Events, For Researchers, History & Archives, Resources

Our library offers a variety of spaces to suit every patron’s needs. Some are well known, and some are hidden treasures! We strive to make our library a versatile, welcoming environment—and we hope you find a study spot that fits your needs.

Our staff wanted to show you their favorite spaces to read, nap, study, and meal plan…

Hoping to read while overlooking a busy campus quad?

Check out our open bar-style seating on the 3rd floor! Our Digital Projects Analyst, Hope, says it’s a great spot to read, daydream about fall fun, and observe the Medicine Pavilion Quad. As a bonus, the 3rd floor is our…

Happy Veterans Day! On this day, we honor the service of all military veterans in the United States Armed Forces. Currently at Duke, approximately 2,200 employees and 450 students identify as military veterans.

As we celebrate this federal holiday, we invite you to revisit our digital exhibit Remembering the 65th: Duke’s General Hospital Unit, which documents the staff, activities, and accomplishments of the 65th General Hospital, Duke's World War II unit.

Remembering the 65th features artifacts, photographs, and documents from the Medical Center Archives collections. Items include medical instruments used by hospital staff, an…

Categories: Events, History & Archives

At Your Service: Duke's Civilian Public Service Camp #61    
The Josiah Charles Trent History of Medicine Room    
On Display October 21, 2025 – May 3, 2026

On October 16, 1940, the Civilian Public Service (CPS) was established as an alternative to military conscription for conscientious objectors. These men who declined military service due to religious beliefs were placed in CPS camps, or units, across the United States and given jobs on the home front to help support the war effort. They worked in soil conservation, forestry, firefighting, agriculture, social services, and mental health. In all, there were…

Categories: History & Archives

The Duke Community was saddened to learn of the recent passing of Dr. E. Harvey Estes. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of leadership, advocacy, and commitment to care.

Dr. Edward Harvey Estes Jr., MD was born May 1, 1925 in Gay, Georgia. He graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia (1944, BA; 1947, MD). He began his medical internship at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and completed it at Duke University Hospital. Prior to joining Duke's staff in 1953, Estes served in the United States Navy from 1950 to 1952. He became chief of the cardiology service at Durham Veterans Affairs Hospital from 1953 to 1954 and chief of the medical service at the Durham Veterans Affairs Hospital from 1956 to 1962. In 1966, Estes was appointed Chair of the newly created…

Categories: History & Archives