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Developing a Graphic Medicine Collection

Roman Block

Access Services Coordinator

Oregon Health & Science University

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What is

Graphic Medicine?

It’s the use of comics to tell stories of illness, health, medicine, and science.

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    • Artistic freedom of expression
    • Unique perspectives
      • Patients, healthcare professionals, family/loved ones
    • Fosters empathy and understanding
    • Builds communication skills and professional identity

Why is Graphic Medicine Important?

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Beginnings:

    • Created in 2019 with 25 titles
      • Print and electronic format
    • Little growth during Covid-19, only per staff suggestions
    • Grew to around 40 titles by 2023

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Expansion:

    • Received Collection Equity Award from Network of National Library of Medicine (NNLM) Region 5 in 2023
      • “Amplifies diverse voices writing on health/medical topics or that include a health or medical issue as an integral narrative theme”
    • $1,500 awarded to OHSU Library

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Graphic Medicine @ OHSU Library

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Selection and Purchasing Process

    • NNLM Diverse Voices Graphic Novel toolkit
    • Personal checklist:
      • Maximize the amount of titles to purchase - (limit of $25 per book)
      • Owned by OHSU?
      • Available to purchase through vendor? (GOBI)
      • Out of print?
    • Focus on diverse voices and breadth of topics
      • Gaps in collection: where do we have the most titles?
    • GraphicMedicine.org
    • Reviewing similar collections from other libraries
    • Increase number of eBooks

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Housing the Collection

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Permanent Display

All titles are on permanent display, located on the main floor of the library and next to the Circulation Desk

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Graphic Medicine Guide

Lists all titles in collection and broadly arranges them by overarching category

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Graphic Medicine Guide

Lists all titles in collection arranged by category

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    • Tripled in size: 100+ titles
    • Encompasses wider range of voices, perspectives, and topics
    • High circulation rate and engagement with library users (up over 300%)
    • Housing and displaying the collection in more accessible way
    • Being incorporated in OHSU curriculum
    • Actively growing in size

Collection Today

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Acknowledgements

    • Tova Johnson - Critical Pedagogy and Research Librarian
    • Tracy Thornton - Director of Library Operations
    • Robin Champieux - University Librarian
    • Jennifer Fife - Library Financial Analyst
    • Rachael Davis - E-Resources Specialist
    • Caroline Reul - Acquisitions & Technical Services Coordinator
    • Amy Addison - Access Services Coordinator
    • Paul Gardner - Access Services Manager
    • Pam Pierce - Publishing and Data Services Manager