McGill University – Osler Library

The Osler Library at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine stands as one of North America's premier scholarly resources for the history of medicine. This internationally renowned collection of nearly 100,000 volumes traces its origins to Sir William Osler's 1919 bequest and represents an internationally renowned documentary heritage. Originally housed in a purpose-built reading room designed by architect Percy Nobbs within the Strathcona Building, the library possesses the remarkable distinction of having been completely dismantled and reconstructed in 1965 within the McIntyre Medical Building, preserving its original oak paneling, stained glass windows, and heritage furnishings in their entirety. However, this integration into the modern structure proved challenging over time, leading to the gradual displacement of volumes to various storage areas and compromising the optimal preservation of this irreplaceable collection.

EVOQ was mandated to rehabilitate the 3rd and 4th floors of the Osler Library within the adjacent wing of the McIntyre Medical Building. The scope encompassed creating specialized spaces designed for the conservation of rare books and artifacts, implementing rigorous climate and environmental control systems, and developing controlled-access areas. The team also undertook the systematic sorting and classification of the collection according to the specific conservation requirements of different types of materials.

The collection now benefits from an appropriate conservation environment through the new climate and environmental control systems. Most volumes have been returned to their original shelving, while controlled-access spaces enable secure consultation of the most valuable documents. This renovation ensures the long-term preservation of this exceptional documentary heritage in medical history.