The Ruth Lilly Medical Library is pleased to announce a new addition to the History of Medicine Collection. The Anna Lipmane Collection of Russian and Latvian Medical Books consists of 73 volumes in Russian and Latvian on a variety of medical topics including neurology, cardiology, pharmacology, anatomy, acupuncture, and massage therapy. They were printed in Russia, Latvia, Belarus, and other parts of the USSR between 1963 and 1991 and once belonged to Latvian neurologist Anna Lipmane. Most of the books are rare among the holdings of libraries in the United States, and in some cases are only available at the Ruth Lilly Medical Library. All the books in the collection have been cataloged and can be found in IUCat.
Background
When the books were generously donated to the library in November 2021 by the former owner’s cousin, Janice E. Kreuscher of Indianapolis, they were still bundled and wrapped in the packaging used to mail them to the United States approximately twenty years prior.
The Republic of Latvia gained full independence from the Soviet Union in August 1991. Soon thereafter, Anna Lipmane shipped her personal collection of medical books from Riga, Latvia to her cousin in Indianapolis in preparation for her planned immigration to the United States. Lipmane ultimately decided to remain in Latvia with her husband, Latvian engineer and business leader Kirovs Lipmans. Later the couple became involved in various business and political ventures in Latvia including the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation and the multinational pharmaceutical company JSC Grindex (perhaps best known as the manufacturer of the anti-ischemic drug Meldonium).
Examples from the Collection
Two Latvian books from the collection: Practical Cardiology (Riga: Zvaigzne, 1990) & Point Massage [Acupuncture] (Riga: Zvaigzne, 1989).
Two Russian books from the collection: Skin Exteroreceptors (Chișinău, Moldova: Shtiintsa, 1991) and Lumbar Pain (Minsk, Belarus: 1989).
Several of the volumes, like this Russian anatomy book, have been annotated by the previous owner.
About the History of Medicine Collection
The Ruth Lilly Medical Library’s History of Medicine Collection is committed to supporting the research, learning, and educational success of Indiana University students, faculty, and community members by collecting, preserving, interpreting, and providing access to unique materials documenting the history of medicine; medical education, training, research, and practice; and health and disease treatment and prevention in the state of Indiana and beyond within the global context of the Western medical tradition.
The History of Medicine Collection is located on the third floor of the Ruth Lilly Medical Library (Room 307) and is currently open by appointment only (Monday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm). Research appointments and classes can be scheduled by contacting medlref@iu.edu.
