Welcome to the California Academy of Sciences Library

The Academy Library serves the research and educational needs of all Academy staff, docents, volunteers, members, educators and students, and the community at large. Our mission is to facilitate access to scientific information and Academy history

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Popular Library Resources

Manzanita Image Project

Nicobar Pigeon; Gerald and Buff Corsi © California Academy of Sciences

The Manzanita Image Project is a Web resource of images of plants, animals, fungi, landscapes & habitats and people & culture from the California Academy of Sciences Library.  The project is a partnership with CalPhotos, a project of the University of California, Berkeley Digital Library.  Use of Manzanita Project images is easy and free for educational use.

Visit the Manzanita Image Project

From the Stacks: the Academy Library blog

Nitrate negatives
A significant aspect of scientific expeditions is visually documenting a location, people, or specimens. Here in the archive, it is our job to preserve these images. While these days most scientists and photographers are using digital cameras, which present their own preservation issues, our earlier manuscript collections contain physical photographs and film negatives. There are three types of film base: cellulose ...
A little Halloween treat from the Library: Creepy Crawlies in print and on the loose in Special Collections
Does this tarantula fulfill the definition of creepy – ‘experiencing a repugnant tingling sensation’? Or an aesthetic delight? These magnificent engravings of spiders come from Natural History volume five in the Cyclopaedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Science and Literature.  Abraham Rees, Presbyterian minister and educator, produced this Encyclopedia in 45 volumes between 1802 and 1820.  ...

Contact

  • Library
  • California Academy of Sciences
  • 55 Music Concourse Drive
  • San Francisco, CA 94118
  • 415-379-5484 (direct)

Help

  • Who can use the Academy Library?

    The Library is open to all staff, students, and volunteers of the Academy during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm).

    Members of the public with a legitimate research interest are welcome to use the collections by appointment.

  • Can I check out books from the Academy Library?

    Items from the Academy Library only circulate to Academy Staff for in-house use.

    California Academy of Sciences Members and California educators may check out items from the Naturalist Center.

    Visit the Naturalist Center for more information.

  • How do I contact a Librarian?

    Librarians are generally available during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm).

    We can help you with questions, provide referrals, or schedule an appointment for you to visit the Library.

    You can contact the Library by

    Phone: (415) 379-5484

    Email: library@calacademy.org

    Chat:

  • How do I look up a book?

    All of the Academy Library and Naturalist Center book, journal, and multimedia holdings are listed in the Academy Library catalog.

    Confused? Watch a tutorial on searching the Academy Library catalog.

    There are many ways to find items in the Academy Library catalog. Select one of the options below for step-by-step instructions.
    Browsing the Catalog
    Searching the Catalog

  • How do I find journal articles?

    The Academy Library offers access to a variety of databases and indexes, both free and subscription services.  You must be on-site at the Academy to use the subscription databases.

    Browse our Indexes & Databases

  • I found what I want! How do I get it?

    First, look it up in the Catalog.

    If we don't own it, try the following:

    Academy Staff ONLY: Place an Interlibrary Loan request.

    If you do not have Academy Library borrowing privileges, try searching WorldCat.org to see if a library near you owns the item.

  • I can’t find any archival collections in the catalog. How do I search for those?

    As a rule, those collections are not listed in the Library catalog.  You can browse the list of manuscript holdings here

    Please contact Special Collections with any questions.

  • Can I reuse or publish your photographs or other materials?

    In most cases, the answer is yes.  Please see Scanning, Reproduction & Use for more information.

  • Can I volunteer at the Library?

    We periodically have volunteer opportunities for both short-term, project based and long-term assignments. 

    Please contact Volunteer Services if you are interested in becoming a Library volunteer.

     

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