Monthly Archives: January 2012

The Albert B. Sabin Digitization Project: Happy (Belated) Anniversary, March of Dimes!

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Invitation to Dr. Sabin's Bela Schick Lecture, 1944. This can be found in Series 3 – Manuscripts, Box 6, Folder 2 – Correspondence, photos, draft, 1944.

On Tuesday, January 3rd, I read a tweet from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which said:

“On this day in 1938 @marchofdimes was founded by #FDR to combat #polio!”

In honor of the anniversary of the founding of the March of Dimes, here are a couple more things in the Sabin collection that highlight some of Dr. Sabin’s research he conducted with aid from the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (NFIP). (You may recall from an earlier blog post that the NFIP later changed its name to the March of Dimes.)

In May 1944, Dr. Sabin gave the Bela Schick lecture called, “Studies on the Natural History of Poliomyelitis” at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. (For your information, Dr. Bela Schick was the developer of the Schick immunity test, which helped to determine if someone was susceptible to diphtheria. In 1923, he became director of the Department of Pediatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital.*) This lectureship was established by Dr. Schick’s friends and colleagues after his retirement, and Dr. Sabin was invited to give the 2nd annual lecture. Dr. Sabin was contacted by Dr. Murray Bass to give a report on “virus studies, especially in connection with poliomyelitis.”[1] Of course, Dr. Sabin accepted, after he made sure that he would be in the country at the time. When contacted about a dinner prior to the lecture, he suggested that NFIP notables Mr. Basil O’Connor (President) and Dr. Don W. Gudakunst (Medical Director) be invited as well.[2] Continue reading →

Cincinnati Looks to the Skies: The Cincinnati Observatory Records and the Paul Herget papers

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The Cincinnati Observatory is a local historical treasure and holds what was once one of the world’s largest telescopes.  Throughout its history, the observatory has served as a source of weather forecasts, official Cincinnati time, and a site of scientific discovery.  It also has a long connection with the University of Cincinnati.  The Archives and Rare Books Library holds many observatory records along with the papers of long-time director Paul Herget.

Observatory Buildings

The Cincinnati Observatory in Mt. Lookout, 1943

Continue reading →

Notice: Archives and Rare Books Library Renovation

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By Kevin Grace

Notice: On January 9, the Archives & Rare Books Library will begin moving our offices and reference/reading room to the north end of the 8th floor in Carl Blegen Library in Room 814.  This move will allow the final phase of renovation of the Archives & Rare Books Library through a grant from the Schott Foundation.

Two years ago, the north end of the floor was renovated with fresh paint, new carpeting, creation of the Marge Schott Seminar Room, a small book arts room, and exhibit cases.  This final phase on the south end will also see fresh paint and new carpeting, and the relocation and building of a new reference desk, all to better meet the needs of students and researchers.

It is anticipated that the renovation will take three months, but there will be no disruption in reference and research services.  However, ARB’s reference holdings will not be available during the project.  All other archival materials and rare books can still be accessed.  Room 814 will serve as our office space and our reading room, as well as continuing to be the venue for our monthly “50 Minutes-1 Book” lunchtime lecture series.

For further information, please call 556-1959 or email us at archives@ucmail.uc.edu.

Access to CEAS Library via Rhodes Hall

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As of December 20, 2011, there is no access to the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) Library via the 8th floor of Rhodes Hall.  Hallways on this level are closed through Summer 2012, due to renovations to build the CEAS Learning Center.  The Learning Center will serve as a “home” for hundreds of first-year CEAS students, and will neighbor the CEAS Library!  Learning Center construction details at http://secs.ceas.uc.edu/about-us/rhodes-renovation.

How do you access the CEAS Library (8th floor, Baldwin Hall) from the Rhodes lobby?  Take the elevator up to the 7th floor of Rhodes, make a sharp right turn as you exit the elevator, then proceed down the hallway toward Baldwin Hall (in the direction of Clifton Avenue).  Use the stairs or elevator nearest to Baldwin Hall to reach the 8th floor.

To avoid steps, enter the adjacent Engineering Research Center (ERC) building and take its elevator to the 6th or 7th floor.  Cross the bridge into Rhodes Hall and proceed down the hallway toward Baldwin Hall as described above (you will pass by the Rhodes lobby elevator).  Use the stairs or elevator nearest to Baldwin Hall to reach the 8th floor.

There is no change in direct access to the CEAS Library from either Baldwin Hall or Zimmer Hall.

Contact the CEAS Library at 513-556-1550 or email Ted.Baldwin@uc.edu for further assistance.