The Health Library was organized in 1939 with funds that became available under the Social Security Act. Initially, it was located in rooms 364 and 143-A of the State Office Building located across the street from the State House. The library was subsequently moved to Room 407 in the new Health Department Building (Cannon Building) in August 1971. The library was primarily a reference and specialized library in public health and preventive medicine and served the staff of the Department of Health. The library also provided services to state government, health workers, students and the general public. In the 1970’s the library was named after Dr. Gertrude E. Sturges, a noted public health figure in Rhode Island. The library was closed in September 2006 with the intent to consolidate library services across other health services departments and to provide a virtual library in its place. Its holdings were dispersed to appropriate repositories, a portion of which was transferred to the State Archives Division of the Office of the Secretary of State. The Department of Health Library was the only public health library in the state of Rhode Island.
From the guide to the Rhode Island Department of Health Library records, Department of Health Library (Rhode Island) records, 1850-2006, (Rhode Island State Archives)
The Rhode Island Health Planning Council (HPC) was established in 1965 per executive order No. 18 (June 30, 1965) and became operational in 1966. It was located at 520 Howard Building, 10 Dorrance Street in Providence, R.I. 02903. Executive order #18 created the Advisory Hospital Council in accordance with Chapter 152 of the Public Laws of 1965. This Council also served as the Advisory Licensure Council (Executive Order #19 (Chapter 151 P.L. 1965). 1965 P.L. 152 was an act in Amendment of Title 23, Chapter 15 regarding "Hospital Survey and Construction."
From the guide to the Rhode Island Health Planning Council reports, Health Planning Council (Rhode Island) reports, 1965-1985, (Rhode Island State Archives)
