Darling, Louise. 1911-1999

Biography

Louise Darling received a B.A. in Botany from UCLA, and a General Secondary Credential, an M.A. in Botany, a Certificate in Librarianship, and a Special Secondary Credential in Librarianship, all from UC Berkeley. Her early library experience was conventional: an agricultural economics library at UC Berkeley, a high school library, and reference at the UCLA Library. Then she took an interesting detour: accepting a civilian position in the U. S. Army Library Service, eventually to become Supervisor for Hawaii and the Philippines (1944-1947). In 1947 Darling inquired about returning to UCLA; she was offered the opportunity to build a library for the new Medical School at UCLA and for the Zoology and Botany Departments, all of whose leaders wisely decided that a joint BIOmedical library would add strength to the campus. Darling fulfilled their vision superbly, leading her library and its staff to a pioneering, eminent position among U.S. academic health sciences libraries. Her achievements are documented by the national reputation of the library she founded and to which her name is attached, by the number of former staff members heading their own medical and university libraries, and by the wide love and respect evoked by her memory.

Darling's name also loomed large beyond her own campus. She was active in professional societies, published widely, served on many advisory committees. She became president of the main national medical library society, The Medical Library Association, and garnered all its main awards. Honors and awards were also bestowed by other professional groups, by UCLA, and by the alumni associations of two of her former schools. In addition, her professional acumen was honored by the many consulting assignments that were offered, and the awards named for her.