Wegner Health Science Information Center
History

It started with a vision -
to provide the most current and accurate information about medicine and healthcare to all medical professionals, healthcare professionals, students and consumers in South Dakota and the region.

The vision grew -
through the collaborative effort of eleven partner organizations.  By combining their collections, staff, and information resources they created:

• a collection of over 14,000 books,

• a collection of over 1,500 journal subscriptions,

• a collection of over 1,900 videos,
  and most importantly

• a staff with over 75 years experience in providing exceptional library and information services.

And, through a multitude of financial contributions from donors through South Dakota and the region, funds were raised for a state-of-the-art technology and information center - ready to enter the 21st century.

The vision was realized -
in January 1998, when the Karl and Mary Jo Wegner Health Science Information Center (WHSIC) opened.

The WHSIC is adjacent to the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and Sioux Valley Hospital and University of South Dakota Medical Center.  The WHSIC provides traditional library and information center services, as well as, provides access to the world via the Internet.  This allows the WHSIC to provide virtual services electronically.

Every week:

• over 1,150 patrons enter the WHSIC doors,

• over 300 journal articles are obtained and delivered to patrons,

• over 110 books and videos are loaned to patrons,

• over 105 information consultations are provided by WHSIC staff,

• over 12 patrons receive in-class training.

The vision continues -
as the WHSIC looks toward the future, the mission remains the same - to provide the most current and accurate medical and healthcare information to medical professionals, healthcare professionals, students, and consumers in South Dakota and the region.  However, the WHSIC will change and grow by continually exploring new and exciting avenues in the areas of information delivery, development, training, outreach and services.

Be a part of the vision -

• by using the WHSIC as your source for medical and healthcare information,

• by becoming a WHSIC volunteer,

• by contributing financially to the WHSIC as it seeks to fulfill its mission.