Richard M. Johnston Health Sciences Library Collection

Recognizing the increasing importance of hospital libraries, Western Pennsylvania Hospital designed and completed a library expansion project that culminated in 2001 with the dedication of the Richard M. Johnston Health Sciences Library. The new library, located at the center of the hospital, tripled the space for library collections and affords electronic access to all library resources.

It is a beautiful, user-friendly space that was designed to accommodate a dynamic, up-to-date collection. The library is conveniently located at the center of the hospital next to the cafeteria and the new Conference Center and is staffed 47.5 hours per week so that physicians, students and others can make use of its resources without taking extra time from their hectic schedules. It contains 5,278 square feet of collection space. The library's data infrastructure, including networked personal computers, a television , audio and visual equipment, closed circuit television, a fax machine, photocopiers and printers , enables library users to consult and transmit print and electronic media easily.

Now that its library has adequate space to accommodate a larger collection, The Western Pennsylvania Hospital seeks funds to grow the Library's collection to support the patient care, medical education and basic and clinical research that are central to its mission.