Washington University School of Medicine Oral Histories
Estelle Brodman Oral History
Interviewer
Nancy Whitten Zinn
Summary
Estelle Brodman was interviewed Nancy Whitten Zinn on May 10, 1981 for approximately 5 hours.
Scope and Content
Dr. Brodman explains how she came to enter medical librarianship and the School of Library Service at Columbia University. She describes her early professional experiences at the Cornell University Nursing School Library, the main library of Columbia University and its medical library. There is a section on Dr. Brodman's experiences at the Army Medical Library - National Library of Medicine from 1949 to 1961 and the changes during that period. Dr. Brodman discusses the history of the Medical Library Association and its relationship with the National Library of Medicine. She also details her involvement in the MLA as editor of the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association, the development of the MLA Oral History Project, and her term as president and on various committees. Brodman discusses her decision to leave the National Library of Medicine and come to the Washington University School of Medicine Library in 1961 and her 20 years there. In addition, Brodman discusses her experiences serving as a consultant nationally and internationally, and changes in medical librarianship over the course of her long career.
Biographical Information: Interviewee
Estelle Brodman (1914-2007) served as an Assistant librarian for reference service at the National Library of Medicine, 1949-1961. She became the Library Director and Professor of Medical History at Washington University School of Medicine in 1961 and served in these positions until her retirement in 1981. Brodman served as the Editor of the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association from 1947-1957, and as President of the Medical Library Association, 1964-1965.
Biographical Information: Interviewer
Nancy Whitten Zinn served as head of special collections at the University of California, San Francisco. She was a member of the Medical Library Association. She was recognized for her work in the history of health sciences, including leadership roles in the collection and development of health-related oral history and archives.
Interview Date
1981-05-10
Collection Identifier
OH052
Length
Approximately 5 hours.
Restrictions
Users wishing to publish (in whole, or in part) content taken from the audio or transcript of this oral history interview must request, sign, and return a Statement of Use form to the Becker Archives. For detailed information regarding publication and use of this oral history, contact the Becker Archives (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).
Recommended Citation
Estelle Brodman Oral History, OH052, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Disclaimer
The Becker Archives provides access to this oral history interview as a record of the past. This interview reflects the attitudes, perspectives, and beliefs of the interview participants, which may reflect outdated, biased, and offensive views and opinions. The Becker Archives does not endorse the views expressed in this interview, which may contain materials offensive to some users.
Notes
The interview was conducted in two parts (part 1 is approximately 3 hours long; part 2 is approximately 2 hours long). The audio quality of the interview is inconsistent.