E-VALENTINES—Step into the past this Valentine’s Day by viewing the West Virginia and Regional History Collection’s
vintage valentines, such as the one pictured here, online at
http://www. libraries.wvu.edu/exhibits/valentine/.

See the graphic and read the full caption (PDF).

It makes an interesting story in itself: health care professional by day, mystery writer by night.

Arthur Conan Doyle penned his Sherlock Holmes series while serving patients through his medical practice. The ophthalmologist’s story is not that unique.

Library and bookstore shelves are lined with mysteries authored by physicians, dentists, biochemists, medical records administrators, emergency medical technicians, pharmacist assistants and nurses.

Such works are the focus of an exhibit at the Health Sciences Library throughout February. The exhibit, located in the display case outside the entrance of the library, contains a selection of books, pictures of authors and Web sites. There are also a few of the villain’s tools of the trade – poisons, on loan from the University’s Pharmacy Museum.

Exhibit creator Jean Siebert, learning services coordinator librarian at the Health Sciences Library, is an avid reader and believes the merging of the two fields has helped produce better writing in the mystery genre.

“When authors write medical mysteries, they need to understand the vocabulary, abbreviations and how the health care environment functions,” Siebert said. “Because they work or worked in this environment, they have this knowledge and the contacts to ask questions about other professions.”

Explore the fascinating exhibit at the Health Sciences Library on the second floor of Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center. Or visit the exhibit online at http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/library/mysteries.htm.

For more information, contact Siebert at 293-1920 or jsiebert@wvu.edu.

In response to student demand for increased library access, the West Virginia University Downtown Campus Library will remain open until 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday throughout the spring semester.

“Students told us they needed a place available after midnight to study, do research or finish a paper,” Libraries Dean Frances O’Brien said. “The Downtown Campus Library is a convenient location for this kind of work.”

The Library previously closed at midnight on those days.

The increased access will allow students to use the computers, books, periodicals and other resources for 10 additional hours a week. However, some services will be limited after midnight. The reference department and copy center will not be available, and no one can check out books.

A valid WVU ID will be required to enter the library after midnight.

The Downtown Campus Library opens at 1 p.m. Sunday, 8 a.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday. The library closes at 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday.

Evansdale Library opens at noon Sunday, 8 a.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday. It closes at midnight Sunday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday.

Health Sciences Library opens at 1 p.m. Sunday, 8 a.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday. It closes at 11 p.m. Sunday, midnight Monday through Thursday and 6 p.m. Saturday.