This work investigates the institutional evolution of the National Library of Medicine from its modest origins as a small military collection into the world's largest repository of medical information. Wyndham D. Miles, a historian with extensive experience in the history of science and medicine, utilizes archival records and administrative correspondence to document the library's growth. The text presents a chronological framework that highlights the individuals, political shifts, and technological advancements that shaped the institution's mission over the course of its existence.

Historians and library science professionals regard this text as the definitive institutional history of the National Library of Medicine. Readers frequently note the meticulous attention to administrative detail and the author's ability to contextualize the library's development within the broader history of American public health.