Mary Louise Marshall

American medical librarian

Mary Louise Marshall (1893–1986) was a prominent American medical librarian known for her contributions to medical librarianship and her role in the development of medical library standards and education. She served as the head librarian at the Tulane University School of Medicine for over four decades and was instrumental in the founding of the Medical Library Association.

Early Life and Education

Mary Louise Marshall was born in 1893 in New Orleans, Louisiana. She pursued her undergraduate studies at Tulane University, where she developed an interest in library science. Marshall later attended the University of Illinois to obtain her degree in library science, a field that was burgeoning at the time.

Career

Tulane University

Mary Louise Marshall with the NLM Board of Regents

In 1926, Marshall was appointed as the head librarian of the Tulane University School of Medicine. During her tenure, she transformed the library into a modern facility, expanding its collections and services to meet the needs of medical students and faculty. Her leadership was marked by a commitment to integrating new technologies and methodologies in library science.

Medical Library Association

Marshall was a founding member of the Medical Library Association (MLA), an organization dedicated to improving the quality and accessibility of medical information. She served as the president of the MLA from 1941 to 1942, during which she advocated for the professionalization of medical librarianship and the establishment of standards for medical libraries.

Contributions to Medical Librarianship

Marshall was a pioneer in the field of medical librarianship, contributing to the development of classification systems and cataloging standards that are still in use today. She was a strong advocate for the education and training of medical librarians, emphasizing the importance of specialized knowledge in the medical sciences.

Later Life and Legacy

After retiring from Tulane University in 1961, Marshall continued to be active in the field of medical librarianship. She was a consultant for various medical libraries and continued to write and speak on issues related to medical information management.

Marshall's legacy is reflected in the numerous awards and honors she received throughout her career, including the Janet Doe Lectureship in the History of Medical Librarianship. Her work laid the foundation for modern medical library practices and inspired future generations of librarians.

Related Pages

• Medical Library Association
• Tulane University
• History of medical libraries

Frank B. Rogers with the NLM Board of Regents