MUSC Waring Library Wins Online Resource Award
June 5, 2014
CHARLESTON, SC – The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Waring Historical Library received 2014 Online Resource Award from the Archivists and Librarians in the History of the Health Sciences (ALHHS). The award was presented to Waring curator Susan Hoffius at the annual ALHHS business meeting, held on May 8, 2014 at the American College of Surgeons in Chicago, IL.
The ALHHS Online Resource award honors the work of MUSC’s Waring Historical Library Curator Susan Hoffius and Digital Archivist Jennifer Welch for their on-line exhibit of the Porcher Medicinal Garden. The exhibit website and its corresponding physical-location garden serve to increase public awareness of the holdings of the Waring Historical Library and, specifically the archival collection of Dr. F. Peyre Porcher.
Award committee reviewers noted that the exhibit was an interesting and creative use of archival resources. It was noted that this online resource could rightfully stand as an important example of the possibilities that exist for an on-line exhibit to engage new users and serve in tying together a connection between virtual, physical, and special collection resources. Ms. Hoffius and Ms. Welch have shown how archives and their collections can be used to educate the public in non-traditional venues, which connect historical events to current research and inquiry.
In accepting the award, Ms. Hoffius recognized the many people who contributed to the physical and online exhibit, particularly Sherman Paggi, Thomas Hamm II, Robin Smith, and the Porcher Medicinal Garden advisory committee. “We wanted to do something special with this exhibit, and we feel that the combination of historical content and contemporary drug information provides a complete user experience of Dr. Porcher’s work. Being able to include the thousands of pages of Dr. Porcher’s published and unpublished work in the online exhibit enhances its utility for researchers.”
About MUSC
Founded in 1824 in Charleston, The Medical University of South Carolina is the oldest medical school in the South. Today, MUSC continues the tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and residents, and has nearly 11,000 employees, including approximately 1,500 faculty members. As the largest non-federal employer in Charleston, the university and its affiliates have collective annual budgets in excess of $1.7 billion. MUSC operates a 750-bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children’s Hospital, the Ashley River Tower (cardiovascular, digestive disease, and surgical oncology), and a leading Institute of Psychiatry. For more information on academic information or clinical services, visitwww.musc.edu. For more information on hospital patient services, visit www.muschealth.com.
