Medical Library Association
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
World's oldest medical library association founded here in 1898 to facilitate access to reliable medical literature for the improvement of health care. Among the US and Canadian founders were George M. Gould, MD; Sir William Osler, MD; and Margaret R. Charlton, librarian.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In 1898, at the close of a century that had transformed medicine into a science, a small group of American and Canadian physicians and librarians met in Philadelphia to solve a stubborn problem: doctors could not easily reach the reliable, up-to-date medical literature their patients' lives depended on. Their answer was the Medical Library Association, the world's oldest body of its kind, dedicated to organizing and sharing trustworthy medical knowledge. Among its founders stood the celebrated physician Sir William Osler and the librarian Margaret R. Charlton, pairing clinical prestige with the emerging profession of medical librarianship.
Why it matters
The association helped turn scattered medical knowledge into a shared, accessible resource, laying groundwork for the evidence-based, information-driven medicine Americans rely on today.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Bridgette Mayer0.7 mi away · 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- African American Museum in Philadelphia0.7 mi away · 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Congress Hall0.8 mi away · Philadelphia, PA
- Liberty Bell Center0.8 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia
- Independence Visitor Center0.8 mi away · 599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Hall0.8 mi away · 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- One Liberty Observation Deck0.2 mi away
- Reading Terminal0.4 mi away
- The Universal Sphere0.4 mi away
- Chinatown Friendship Gate0.5 mi away · 10th and Arch Street
- Liberty Bell0.8 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- President's House0.8 mi away
Food & drink
- Philly Pretzel Factory0.6 mi away
- Munchie’s Cafe0.6 mi away · 728 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Burger King0.6 mi away
- El Azteca0.6 mi away
- Fat Salmon0.6 mi away · 719 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Maya's Pizza & Grill0.6 mi away · 716 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown - Center City0.2 mi away · 219 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Holiday Inn Express0.2 mi away · 1305-11 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia Center City0.2 mi away · 237 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Residence Inn Philadelphia Center City0.2 mi away · 1 East Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA
- The Notary Hotel0.2 mi away · 21 North Juniper Street, Philadelphia
- Loews Philadelphia Hotel0.3 mi away · 1200 Market Street, Philadelphia
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Related people
- · George M. Gould
- · Sir William Osler
- · Margaret R. Charlton
Related events
- · Founding of the Medical Library Association
Themes & tags
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