Library and Archives
Overview
The Academy Library and Archives is internationally recognized for its collections documenting the historical development of the natural and environmental sciences. The Library holdings span five centuries (16th century to the present) of books and periodicals. The Archives collections span four centuries (late 17th century to the present) and include manuscripts, field notebooks, correspondence, films, photographs, art and artifacts. The Library and Archives serves multiple disciplines and constituents and fosters innovative museum programming and exhibitions, cross-disciplinary research and creative work at the intersection between art and science.
Search our catalogs
Items in the Library may be searched using the Drexel University Libraries catalog.
Archival materials may be searched using the Drexel Archival and Special Collections Database.
Images from the Collections
About the Library
The Academy’s Library houses over 75,000 titles ranging from works published in the 1500s to current serials and monographs from all over the world.
Overview
Examples of what you might find in the Library include:
- Illustrated works from the 16th through the 20th centuries
- Lengthy runs of serial publications dating back to the 17th century
- Expedition literature by distinguished scientists and amateur naturalists
- Recent, contemporary and ongoing scholarship in the natural sciences
Some notable authors and artists include Louis Agassiz, William Bartram, Sarah Bowdich, Mark Catesby, Charles Darwin, Conrad Gessner, Elizabeth and John Gould, Helen Lawson, Carl Linnaeus, Maria Sibylla Merian, Charles Wilson Peale, Pierre Joseph Redoute and Alexander Wilson.
Periodicals
Scientific journals from numerous countries and fields of the natural sciences are critical for our researchers, and the Library's journal collection is rich in long, unbroken runs and unique copies, published in a wide range of languages.
Scientific illustration
Illustrated volumes are used for scientific reference and artistic inspiration. The collection covers a wide range of plants, animals, illustrators, places and time periods. These printed works are complemented by original sketches and paintings found in the Academy’s Archives.
About the Archives
The Archives collects, preserves and makes available unique and historical manuscripts, organization records, art and artifacts dating from the 1600s to the present that document the natural and environmental sciences.
Overview
Materials in the Archives include records that directly correspond to specimens held in the Academy’s Center for Systematic Biology and Evolution, such as field notebooks and journals, catalogs and maps; photographs and audiovisual recordings, including scientific expedition and field work films; records from local clubs and societies interested in studying the natural world; as well as scientific illustration, specimen collecting equipment and scientific instruments.
Digital Collections & Image Requests
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A selection of digitized materials from the Library and Archives are freely available on these online platforms:
Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL)
BHL is a worldwide consortium of libraries working together to digitize natural history literature and make it freely available. The Library and Archives contributes published and archival materials to BHL, including digitized images and transcriptions of scientific field journals from the Archives.
Non-profit digital library with free books, movies, software, music and more. The Library and Archives contributes published, archival and audiovisual materials to Internet Archive, including digitized images of scientific field journals and expedition and field work films from the Archives.
PA Photos and Documents (PAPD)
Statewide digital repository that provides free online access to millions of digital images from libraries and archives across Pennsylvania. The Library and Archives contributes scientific illustrations, photographs, correspondence and other manuscript material to PAPD. This includes digitized images of personal papers and organizational records from the Archives.
An earlier Guide to the Manuscript Collections in the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, published by the Academy in 1963 and unpublished supplement to this guide is available.
List of finding aids and digital images for select archival collections containing scientific illustrations, wildlife art and photographs.
Download a PDF coloring book made of images from the Academy's Library and Archives.
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The Academy Library and Archives provides high-quality digital images of its collection items. Common image requests include but are not limited to the following:
- Reference images of Academy Library and Archives materials for personal or academic research
- High-resolution images of Academy Library and Archives materials for publication or exhibition
- Permission to publish images of Academy Library and Archives materials
Submitting an Image Request
To request digital images, please complete this form:
Academy of Natural Sciences Library and Archives Image Request Form
Depending on the nature of the request, you may also be asked to complete and sign an Image Publication Agreement. Fees may be applicable based on the number of images requested and the type of use.
For additional information about digital image requests and permissions, please call 215-299-1040 or email library@ansp.org.
A selection of digitized materials from the Library and Archives are freely available on these online platforms:
Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL)
BHL is a worldwide consortium of libraries working together to digitize natural history literature and make it freely available. The Library and Archives contributes published and archival materials to BHL, including digitized images and transcriptions of scientific field journals from the Archives.
Non-profit digital library with free books, movies, software, music and more. The Library and Archives contributes published, archival and audiovisual materials to Internet Archive, including digitized images of scientific field journals and expedition and field work films from the Archives.
PA Photos and Documents (PAPD)
Statewide digital repository that provides free online access to millions of digital images from libraries and archives across Pennsylvania. The Library and Archives contributes scientific illustrations, photographs, correspondence and other manuscript material to PAPD. This includes digitized images of personal papers and organizational records from the Archives.
An earlier Guide to the Manuscript Collections in the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, published by the Academy in 1963 and unpublished supplement to this guide is available.
List of finding aids and digital images for select archival collections containing scientific illustrations, wildlife art and photographs.
Download a PDF coloring book made of images from the Academy's Library and Archives.
The Academy Library and Archives provides high-quality digital images of its collection items. Common image requests include but are not limited to the following:
- Reference images of Academy Library and Archives materials for personal or academic research
- High-resolution images of Academy Library and Archives materials for publication or exhibition
- Permission to publish images of Academy Library and Archives materials
Submitting an Image Request
To request digital images, please complete this form:
Academy of Natural Sciences Library and Archives Image Request Form
Depending on the nature of the request, you may also be asked to complete and sign an Image Publication Agreement. Fees may be applicable based on the number of images requested and the type of use.
For additional information about digital image requests and permissions, please call 215-299-1040 or email library@ansp.org.
Research Appointments
The Academy’s Archives is open to researchers by appointment Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with advance notice. We also offer remote consultation to those unable to visit in person.
Contact Us
Academy Library and Archives
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Library: 215-299-1040 / library@ansp.org
