Honoring a Legacy: New Biography Celebrates MLA Founding Member Marcia C. Noyes

Submitted by: Heather Holmes

The recently released book “The Librarian Who Never Left,” by Meg Fairfax Fielding, tells the story of Marcia C. Noyes, a founding member of MLA and the namesake of the prestigious MLA Noyes award.

The book covers Marcia’s life and her role at the Medical Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland, fondly known as “MedChi,” from the late 1800’s through the mid 1900’s. Marcia was hired by the famed Dr. William Osler and worked at MedChi until her death in 1946.

Marcia was one of the eight charter members of the Medical Library Association and has left a lasting impression upon the association’s work to this day, through its Marcia C. Noyes Award, the association’s highest honor. The award was established in Noyes’s memory to recognize a member who has had outstanding contributions to health sciences librarianship, particularly in one of the missions of MLA, as well as overall service and leadership in the profession.

The author is the archivist and historian at the Medical Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland, with unique access to the history of Ms. Noyes. This is a special opportunity to learn more about one of the first leaders in our profession. Though this book is not affiliated with MLA, the story it tells is one of the beginnings of the association. Funds raised from sales go to support the lasting mission of MedChi’s archives.

The book is available in softcover and digital formats.