The Academy online library catalog contains the holdings of the Academy Library and Naturalist Center including books, journals, videos/DVDs, computer files, maps, and rare books.

The Melvyl® Catalog is available through the Web and is hosted by the California Digital Library. While Melvyl® began as a combined catalog for the University of California campuses, it contains the holdings of other institutions, including the Academy Library.

Melvyl® recently launched a pilot project that facilitates searching the holdings of the University of California Campuses with thousands of other institutions worldwide.  For more information about the Next-Generation Melvyl® Pilot, click here.

The Online Archive of California (OAC) provides free public access to descriptions of primary resource collections maintained by more than 150 contributing institutions, including the California Academy of Sciences.  The OAC lists basic records for much of the Academy's Manuscript Collections, as well as fuller finding aids for selected holdings.  New finding aids are added to the OAC on an ongoing basis.  The Academy Library also maintains a more complete list of our manuscript holdings.

eJournals

The Academy Library provides internal access to a wide variety of electronic journals. You can find eJournals by browsing the following pages, or by searching for titles in the Academy's web catalog For information on access to electronic journals, please see a Library staff member or use our Chat with a Librarian service. When you see MW and a number in a date range, it means that the journal has a "moving wall." A moving wall is a publisher instituted policy that restricts access to recently published materials. The number after the MW indicates for how many years the publisher restricts access.

The Library also maintains a list of journal available free online, regardless of Academy affiliation. Click below to browse freely accessible journals.

Indexes & Databases

The Library offers a variety of general and subject-oriented databases. They are available to search for article citations and the occasional book or government report. Many of the databases offer links to full-text articles; see individual database descriptions for more information. Subscription databases are IP authenticated, and therefore only available at on-site at the Academy

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.