About Us

Mission

The mission of the Zalk Veterinary Medical Library is to advance human and animal health. Supporting Mizzou’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Zalk Library provides a broad range of information resources and services essential to research, clinical practice, and the training of veterinarians.

University Libraries Mission Statement

History of the Library

The Veterinary Medical Library was established in 1951 to serve not only the students, staff and faculty of the College of Veterinary Medicine, but also members of other subject disciplines that interact with veterinary medicine. Administratively, we are part of the J. Otto Lottes Health Sciences Library and the University Libraries. In 2005, the library was named the Zalk Veterinary Medical Library in honor of Thelma Zalk. More about Mrs. Zalk

The library is the only veterinary collection in Missouri and is one of about 30 in the United States. Our unique and historical resources frequently fill the needs of researchers not only in Missouri, but across the nation and around the world.

All aspects of veterinary medicine are collected including pet therapy, human-animal interaction, animal welfare, animal law, pet bereavement, veterinary practice management, comparative medicine, and laboratory animals. There are also specialized collections in veterinary history (particularly in the state of Missouri), mules, Clydesdales, veterinary instrument catalogs, and veterinary patent medicine booklets, pamphlets, and catalogs.

The Veterinary Historical Collections are housed in the Donald Silver Rare Book Room in the J. Otto Lottes Health Sciences Library. For more information on the veterinary historical collections, see Rare Books in Veterinary Medicine, 1528-1850: A Short-Title Catalog of Books in the Collections of the MU Libraries at the University of Missouri.

Learn about the CVM Distinguished Service Award Recipients. Their portraits hung in the library from 1977 – 2013.

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