The James J. Waring, M.D., History of Medicine and Health Sciences Collection contains approximately 6,000 titles in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, and biology, reflecting the history of the health sciences and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. The collection's two components are the circulating collection, consisting of modern works on the history of medicine, and the rare book collection. Most circulating items are accessible through the library's online catalog, IMPULSE http://library.uchsc.edu/. Approximately 50% of the rare book collection (2,000 items) is searchable via IMPULSE.

The rare book collection contains some artifacts and archival materials, but the bulk of the collection consists of 19th century printed materials. Subject strengths include tuberculosis and respiratory medicine, cardiology, and homeopathy. The collection has grown primarily by gift, with the largest donations coming from the libraries of James J. Waring, M.D., Gerald Bertram Webb, M.D., Charles Denison, M.D., and Florence Rena Sabin, M.D. Items in the rare book collection are available for use between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.