Arizona Health Sciences Library records

In conjunction with the founding of Arizona’s first College of Medicine, the University of Arizona College of Medicine Library opened its doors in September 1967. Librarians, David Bishop, the founding director, and Thomas D. Higdon, were hired in September 1965 to plan the library and build its collection. In July 1970 the Library changed its name to the Arizona Medical Center Library and formally expanded its responsibility for library support to the College of Nursing, the University Hospital and, to a more limited extent, the College of Pharmacy. Bishop remained director until 1971. James W. Barry served as library director from April 1971 until 1976. In 1976 the Arizona Medical Center changed its name to the Arizona Health Sciences Center and, correspondingly, the library’s name became the Arizona Health Sciences Center Library. In September 1976 Thomas D. Higdon became acting director and, in July 1977, director of the AHSC Library. Higdon retired on December 31, 1990 and Jeanette Conover McCray (name later

changed to Jeanette Laurel Ryan) served as interim director from January 1 to February 18, 1991 at which time Rachael K. Anderson became director of the Health Sciences Library. Sometime during FY 1990/1991 the library dropped the “Center” from its name to indicate more clearly that its role extended well beyond the Arizona Health Sciences Center and was renamed the Arizona Health Sciences Library. Anderson retired January 23, 2001 and Jeanette McCray served as acting director until Gary A. Freiburger began as AHSL director in June 2001. Freiburger was director until May 31, 2015 and on June 1, 2015 Gerald (Jerry) Perry became director of the Health Sciences Library.

From 1965 until 2013 the Health Sciences Library reported to the dean of the UA College of Medicine initially, and later, to the UA Vice President for Health Sciences. In August, 2013 Karen Williams became dean of the University of Arizona Libraries (UAL) and at that time the Health Sciences Library became a part of UAL, reporting to the UAL dean.