John A. Prior Health Sciences Library

The John A. Prior Health Sciences Library is a building at Ohio State University with five floors containing medical literature, electronic databases, and research spaces for health science students. The facility provides access to journals, digital books, and printed volumes through an integrated system.

The building opened in 1971 and received its current name in 1988 to honor John A. Prior's contributions to medical education. The renaming marked an important moment in the university's history.

A large mural by Marguerite Gaudin on the first floor depicts the evolution of human communication throughout history. This artwork shapes the look of the space and connects scientific study with artistic expression.

Plan your visit ahead to make the most of the library's various resources, as the system has multiple layers of access. Access is usually straightforward for students and faculty, though external visitors should check requirements in advance.

The building once housed the Randtriever, the first automated book storage and retrieval system installed in a United States library. This innovative system was a major milestone in library technology development.

Location: Ohio

Inception: 1971

Official opening: 1971

Operator: The Ohio State University

Address: West Tenth Avenue

GPS coordinates: 39.99500,-83.01710

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:40