The OU-Tulsa Library moved to its Schusterman Center home in August of 2000 from its longtime location near 31st and Sheridan. Within two years, all the OU programs in Tulsa also moved to Schusterman from what is now the OSU Tulsa campus on Greenwood. The Library has enlarged its scope since then to support these new Graduate College programs as well as the expanded Health Sciences programs.

The history of the Library goes back to 1932 when a group of Tulsa physicians collected a nucleus of medical books for the Tulsa County Medical Society. In 1938, TCMS hired its first executive secretary and rented a two-room suite on the 12th floor of the Medical and Dental Arts Building. Shelves were built for the medical textbooks and journals contributed by local physicians or obtained through donations of funds. Dr. David V. Hudson was the driving force behind the original TCMS library.

Eventually the library occupied the entire 12th floor and was directed by a full-time librarian, Miss Irma Beehler. Several Tulsa physicians donated their private libraries, and many made bequests in their wills to benefit the Library. The Library moved to new quarters at 1623 E.12th Street, next door to Hillcrest Medical Center, in 1959. Physicians, residents, and interns utilized the Library’s growing collection and modern conference rooms.

The next move was to 1136 S. Troost in 1974, at which time the newly formed University of Oklahoma College of Medicine – Tulsa contracted with the Tulsa County Medical Society to provide library services for its students. The Library then moved to the College’s headquarters at 2727 East 21st Street. Clinton “Marty” Thompson was hired to be the school’s first Head Librarian, a position which he held until he moved to Oklahoma City to take his current position as Director of the OU Health Sciences Center Robert M. Bird Library.

In July 1980, the Library moved to the location at 2808 S. Sheridan, the former campus of American Christian College. Subsequent directors of the Library have been Sara Hill, Janet Minnerath, Elaine Johnston, and the current director, Stewart Brower.

Plans for a new library building at the Schusterman Center are underway, with construction to begin in the near future.

Additional details about the Library’s history are located in the files in the Library Director’s office.