Empowering our Cincinnati Children’s community to use information efficiently, effectively, and ethically to improve child health and transform the delivery of care.
Community - We are passionate, curious, and patron focused as we support world-class research to improve child health through knowledge sharing and innovation.
Connection - We serve as a bridge between information and our Cincinnati Children’s community. We work closely with our trusted information and research partners at Cincinnati Children’s, the University of Cincinnati, and OhioLink to provide research forward resources and instruction.
Access - We seamlessly provide access to credible information and facilitate our users' learning through reference and instruction services.
Cincinnati Children's founded as The Hospital of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Southern Ohio
Cincinnati Children's started from a single house located in the Walnut Hills neighborhood of Cincinnati. The hospital saw 38 children its first year. The hospital moved to a second, larger building in 1887.
Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation Library founded and led by first librarian Louise Sias
Louis Sias was hired as the first full-time Research Librarian in 1931 and headed the library space in the newly built Children's Hospital Research Building. This is the location of the current Children's Archives space.
Research Foundation Library renamed Edward L. Pratt Research Library in honor of the Head of Pediatrics, professor, and library advocate
Dr. Edward L. Pratt fostered the spirit of intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, perseverance, and independent research in the minds of his students. He was professor and chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine from 1963 until his retirement in 1979; and continued as professor emeritus of pediatrics until his death in 1988. The Pratt Residency Lecture Series is also named in his honor.
Pratt Library expands online services, including an online catalog and access to online journals
The Pratt joins OCLC and begins searching MEDLINE with their first personal computer (the Texas Instruments TI Silent 700.)
Pratt moves to Sabin Education Center, increasing space for collection and seating for patrons
First library sever and webpages for the hospital take shape. A dedicated Medline terminal is made available in the library. Care plans and patient directives become digitized for hospital use. Library catalogs move from print card catalogs to digital terminals. Online journals continue to grow.
Pratt becomes affiliated OhioLink member
Pratt Research Library joins OhioLink library consortia.
Expanded library instruction
First local discovery database. Computers on wheels first implemented (laptops brought to classrooms) and library instruction begins. Second MLS librarian added.
Closed large library space, with collection going completely virtual.
The Pratt Library vacates the Sabin space and goes completely online. EBSCO discovery is coupled with UC library resources and the Ohiolink consortia and made accessible to all staff, including remote staff. Access and website functionality continues to evolve creating the best possible experience using the library.
The Pratt Research Library continues to add resources and services
The overall library website was most recently updated in 2022. Staff was expanded in 2023 and increases library outreach, library instruction, and involvement in Cincinnati Children's research projects. The library continues to add the newest and best software, resources, and library services for use by the Cincinnati Children's community!