Library Resources
We are the health sciences library for Massachusetts Eye and Ear.
Mission
The mission of the Libraries of Massachusetts Eye and Ear is to provide the highest quality information resources and services available for evidence-based decision making. Guided by the mission of the hospital, the library supports the patient care, educational, and research needs of the Mass Eye and Ear community. Through its Archives and Rare Book Library, the library also preserves and promotes the rich heritage of the hospital.
Vision
The Libraries will continue to be the intellectual hub of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear community, providing access to resources and services which will support the information needs of all hospital staff and patients.
Staff
Director – Louise Collins – 617-573-3664
Reference Librarian – Deborah Goss – 617-573-3196
Archivist – Vanessa Formato – 617-573-3664
Hours
Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm (closed weekends)
Library Information
Register for an Open Athens account
In order to access any MEE e-resources from off-site, you need an Open Athens account. You must use your MEE email address to register. After you complete the registration page, Open Athens will send a confirming email to your MEE email account with instructions on how to set up a password.
eJournals
Howe Library eJournals (MEE username and password required)
eBook:
- Ophthalmology eBooks
- Otolaryngology eBooks
- Guide to Accessing eBooks through the Howe Library
- eOtolaryngology.thieme.com (For access to eOtolaryngology on a mobile device or offsite, please first register on the site from a hospital computer, link on the upper right corner.)
Covidence
Covidence is a web-based software platform that streamlines the production of systematic reviews. To join the Howe Library institutional account, go to this page. You must use your MEE email address to register. The librarians at Mass Eye and Ear can assist with planning, conducting, and reporting systematic reviews and other types of research reviews. To learn more about getting help conducting a systematic review, contact Library Director Louise Collins
Nursing Resources
Print and e-books
Partners Handbook
Partners Handbook (Partners login required)
Gale Resources from Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and Massachusetts Library System
LibGuides
The Mass. Eye and Ear Library collections focus on ophthalmology and otolaryngology, with some plastic surgery, neurology and general medicine. The ophthalmology and otolaryngology print journal collections date from the 19th century and include journals published in English, French, German, Russian, Czech, Japanese and Korean. Many of the journals are available to Mass. Eye and Ear staff electronically, and our holdings are supplemented with the extensive digital collections of Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital.
The print text collection numbers more than 1,000 volumes, and new e-books are added regularly.
We provide literature searches, systematic review assistance, interlibrary loans, copier/scanning services and book loans to our staff. In 2018, we provided 3,090 scientific papers to users as requested by them for their research, patient care, and teaching needs.
The library also belongs to many consortia and maintains cooperative arrangements with many institutions to facilitate rapid retrieval of needed papers. Among these are the Association of Vision Science Libraries, Harvard Medical School, Partners Librarians Network and the National Library of Medicine.
There is an outstanding rare book collection of close to 3,000 volumes, dating back to 1490.
The Abraham Pollen Archives contain the historical records and papers of the hospital, including annual reports from the 1800's to the present, many of the old case reports, an extensive photograph collection, board records, and other hospital records. There is also a collection of old medical instruments from both specialties and a spectacle collection.
The New England Ophthalmological Society houses its archival papers with the Mass. Eye and Ear Archives. Several times a year, visiting scholars use the Archives for their research and, of course, members of the Mass. Eye and Ear community are welcome to use the collection.
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary: Studies on its History, by Charles Snyder, 1984
Mass Eye and Ear Annual Reports 1852-2011 (some years missing)
A legacy of healing. A future of cures.
This year, Mass Eye and Ear celebrates 200 years of serving patients locally and throughout the world. As we recognize this milestone, we do so with a promise that this is only the beginning. Our mission remains clear: more cures found, more transformations enacted, more lives improved, and more hope fulfilled.
Learn more