The Academy Library, founded in 1853, is a research library devoted to natural history and the natural sciences. Our subject strengths include: Systematics and Taxonomy, Evolutionary Biology, Biodiversity, Biogeography, Local and Regional Natural Sciences, and Natural History. Our varied collections that include books, journals (in print and online), photographs, slides, digital images, maps, primary source materials, and other media.
Academy Library
Library Collections
Featured Item: The Barton Warren Evermann Papers
We recently processed and created a finding aid to the Barton Warren Evermann papers to aid researchers in using this collection. The Evermann papers are comprised of materials related to the life and work of educator, ichthyologist, and long-time director of the California Academy of Sciences, Barton Warren Evermann, 1853-1932. This collection is 43.36 cubic feet and contains correspondence, field notes, manuscripts, and photographic materials.
Main Library
The Main Library collections include the Research, Reference, Rare Books, Serials, and Map Collections. This collection is curated and maintained by the librarians in close consultation with Academy curators and staff. All of these holdings are represented in the Academy Library catalog.
Academy Archives
The Academy Archives is part of the Academy Library, and includes material on the history of the institution, including scientific expeditions and research, Museum exhibits, building history, and general administrative history. We also hold collections on the history of science in the American West and the research of scientists throughout the Pacific Rim. Box lists, finding aids, and biographies are available for many of our collections.
Corsi Digital Library
The Corsi Digital Library offers scan on demand services for Academy staff and visiting researchers. It also supports the digital collections of the Library including the Academy Library Image Gallery which houses 12,000 digital images documenting Academy history and expeditions, which are available for on-site use only.
Manzanita Image Project
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.
Search Collections
Use the Catalog to find books, journals, maps, rare books, media, and Naturalist Center collections.
Browse the List of Manuscript Collections
Browse a list of material on the history of the Academy, the history of science in the West, and the research of scientists throughout the Pacific Rim.
Search the Manzanita Image Project
The Manzanita Image Project is an image database of flora, fauna, and landscapes available online in conjunction with the University of California, Berkeley.
The Naturalist Center offers a wide range of resources and services to individuals interested in learning more about the natural world.