Levy Library staff celebrating the 50th anniversary in 2024.
The Levy Library at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has gone through many revamps and reiterations, but one thing remains the same—its steadfast mission of helping students, researchers, faculty, staff, and clinicians get the knowledge and information they need. November 2024 marked the 50th anniversary of the library, and for some staff, looking back at how it has grown is a source of pride.
“Over the past 12 years, I’ve had the privilege of leading the team providing library and digital services that support Mount Sinai’s entire scholarly and research community,” says Paul Lawrence, MFA, Dean for Scholarly and Research Technologies at the Icahn School of Medicine.
“I am incredibly proud to be part of a team and a 50-year legacy that exemplifies unwavering support for our mission, continually adapting and innovating while remaining committed to exceptional service,” says Mr. Lawrence, who is also Vice President for Information Technology of the Mount Sinai Health System.
The Library was named in honor of Gustave Levy and his wife, Janet Levy. Gustave Levy had been Chairman of the Boards of then-named Mount Sinai Medical Center and Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and The Mount Sinai Hospital. He helped with a $154 million fundraising effort for the medical school building and endowment, and the planning and erection of the Annenberg Building in which the Library is located.
“Witnessing the evolution and modernization of the Library’s physical spaces throughout the Health System, fostering partnerships with our research community, and advancing the Library’s commitment to supporting artificial intelligence initiatives have been true highlights for me,” says Mr. Lawrence.
Indeed, at the two-floor library, the space has constantly been updated to meet the needs of patrons. Use the sliders to look at how the Levy Library has changed over the decades.
Photo of Gustave (left) and Janet (right) Levy, taken in 1973.
Comparing Levy Library, 1980s and now
Levy Library staff have flourished alongside the library’s many changes. “I first worked at Mount Sinai in the 1990s as a lab technician; during that time, I loved to visit the Levy Library to read print journals and books,” says Jill Gregory, MFA, CMI, Associate Director for Scholarly Publishing and Visualization at the Library.
“Three decades and a medical illustration graduate degree later, I’m so excited to be a part of the Levy Library team itself,” says Ms. Gregory. “The Library is constantly evolving, from the print materials I used to reference to now being a hub of digital resources and scholarly activity. I find it so gratifying to support Mount Sinai’s clinical and scientific excellence through our team’s research and visualization skills, and I look forward to all that the future holds.”
From November 2024 through November 2025, the Levy Library is celebrating its history, its present-day achievements, and its view toward the future through a series of showcases and activities.
Curious about how far the Levy Library has come? Here’s a timeline and some quick facts.
Levy Library is dedicated.
First identified documentation of the Library Committee as a Standing Committee of the Academic Council with student members from each class year.
Division of Academic Computing is created.
Implemented computer-assisted instruction programming for the school.
Associated Alumni provided funds to establish the Electronic Information Center.
WebCT launched to allow access to course materials from any site, any time.
10th floor renovated to a 24-hour study space, and 11th floor transitioned from bookstacks to shared learning spaces.
Levy Library Press publishes the first article in Journal of Scientific Innovation in Medicine.
Scholars Portal (scholars.mssm.edu) launched.
Educational Technology rejoins the Library and partners fully with the Medical Education ASCEND curriculum transformation.