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Waring Historical Library adds new curator by Cindy Abole Public Relations The Ancient Roman lawyer, scholar and statesman Cicero once wrote that “A room without books is like a body without a soul.”   At MUSC’s Waring Historical Library (WHL), Cicero’s comments compliment a facility that echo history and classicism among a modern skyline of clinical centers and research buildings.   Situated at the edge of campus, this special collections library houses an impressive collection of more than 12,000 volumes, rare 18th century manuscripts and journals on medicine and the health sciences, and an array of rare museum artifacts. The soul of this collection is the library of the Medical Society of South Carolina with origins dating back to 1791. But managing, preserving and classifying such a collection by incorporating today’s technology and modern methods rests in the hands of skilled librarians and archivists.   Waring Historical Library's new curator Susan Hoffius. Last May, MUSC Library welcomed curator and assistant professor Susan Hoffius to its fold. She works with Waring director Curtis Worthington, M.D., a skilled three-member staff, and members of the Waring Historical Society to acquire materials and administer the WHL. The library includes the Macaulay Museum of Dental History and the MUSC Archives, a project established six years ago with support from former MUSC President James B. Edwards, DDS, and the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnally Foundation. “The Waring Historical Library is a unique institution in South Carolina,” said Hoffius. “There are several special collection libraries around the state featuring papers of S.C. physicians or families of physicians, but none compare to the variety of books, manuscripts and artifacts relating to medicine and health sciences found within the Waring Library’s holdings.”   Unlike traditional public or academic libraries, the WHL, named after its first director, Dr. Joseph I. Waring, is a historical medical library, according to Hoffius. Only a handful of similar libraries exist, including those at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.   A career librarian and experienced archivist, Hoffius directs patron services from responding to telephone, postal, e-mail and interlibrary loan requests to providing archival assistance to maintaining departmental collections. She also assists with outreach services and facilities maintenance in addition to managing all aspects of the library collection of books, manuscripts and artifacts.   Originally from New York, Hoffius was former director of library and archives at the Georgia Historical Society in Savannah and archives and special collections librarian at the Savannah College of Art and Design prior to coming to MUSC. She taught archival administration on a graduate level at Armstrong Atlantic University. A graduate of Smith College, Hoffius received her master’s in library and information sciences from Simmons College in Boston.   In addition to her many duties and role as curator, Hoffius serves as secretary-treasurer of the Waring Library Society the library friends' group which is involved in recruiting gifts and acquisitions for its collection as well as membership development and board participation. She works closely with Waring Library Society President Alan Brown, M.D., and Worthington to help raise the library’s visibility around campus and the community. “Susan has been a tremendous addition to the Waring Library,” said Brown, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology. “During her time, she’s managed to work with the Waring Library Society’s executive committee to open up the library and society to a broader scope of people. She actively solicits input, support and participation among MUSC’s six colleges, area collegiate groups and other patrons who share an interest in the history of medicine and health sciences.”   The library does this by hosting a student medical history club and lecture series featuring invited speakers from MUSC faculty to community experts to discus topics ranging from medicine, nursing, radiology, dental medicine and pharmacy sciences. It also hosts the Joseph I. Waring and Warren A. Sawyer annual lectures each spring and fall.   Since Hoffius’ tenure, the Waring Library hired its second archivist, Meg Moughan, who will work with  individuals and colleges to record and preserve their histories and create new exhibits.   “We’re also working hard to make the collection as user-friendly to the public as possible,” Hoffius said.  “We are working toward providing access to the special collections materials in a way that is consistent with the manner in which patrons access other non-rare materials.”   The WHL's book and manuscript collections are cataloged in the MUSC Library's online catalog. The library  is pursuing grant funds to assist the staff in inventorying their artifact collection, which will eventually digitize images of artifacts to make them searchable in the main library’s catalogs.   “There’s a need to incorporate modern librarianship and curatorship techniques for providing access to materials so that it can be used by the greatest number of people. All of these changes fit within the Waring Library’s mission to be as useful to as many people as possible,” Hoffius said.   For now, Hoffius and her staff will focus on updating the Waring Library’s catalog records and collaborating with Waring Library Society leaders and members to update its by-laws. “Mrs. Hoffius has already been extremely helpful to the Waring Historical Library and Society,” said Worthington. “With the rapid expansion of our campus, plus growing activities among the six colleges, there’s a great need in preserving and conserving records and artifacts that will contribute to the legacy of students, faculty and members of this institution. We heartily endorse Mrs. Hoffius’ talent, knowledge, background and interest in expanding this effort in her role as curator.”   For information visit http://waring.library.musc.edu/ or call 792-2288.  Friday, Jan. 6, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.