The Naturalist Center provides easy access to a number of high-quality catalogues and electronic resources.

Library Catalogues

• Academy Library
  

  Need help searching the Academy Library catalog? Then, watch this short video.

• San Francisco Public Library
• Melvyl

Electronic Resources

• Calflora
• Ecology Center Fact Sheets
• ERIC
• GreenFILE
• Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA)
• Manzanita Project Digital Images Collection
• National Science Digital Library
• Naturalist Center Bibliographies
• Teacher Reference Center
• WorldCat
• Other electronic databases
• Other electronic journals

The Naturalist Center provides the services listed below to members, teachers, volunteers and the general public. If you would like to access Naturalist Center services and resources without visiting the rest of our museum, please call us at 415-379-5494 to make an appointment.

• Access to a collection of books, DVDs, videos, CDs and curriculum guides about the natural world and sustainability.

• Access to an extensive natural history specimen collection for further study, sketching or assistance with identification.

• Help with finding answers to questions about the natural world, sustainability and our exhibits either in person, via e-mail or by phone. This also includes assistance with the identification of natural history specimens.*

In order to free up resources to focus on creating more hands-on opportunities for our visitors to engage with science and sustainability, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue making our library materials available for members, teachers and volunteers to take home.  The following is a timeline of when these changes will occur:

• February 1, 2012: Last day to get a Naturalist Center lending card

• March 1, 2012: Last day to renew an item already checked out

• April 1, 2012: Books and DVDs will stop circulating  (any items checked out before April 1 will be due 21 days from the checkout date)

* Please note:  If you wish to have assistance with the identification of a natural history specimen, we encourage you to take pictures rather than collecting the actual specimen.  Under U.S. federal laws and the California Fish and Game Codes, it is illegal to to take, collect, capture, mark, or salvage, for scientific, educational, and non-commercial propagation purposes, mammals, birds (including feathers) and their nests and eggs, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, and invertebrates without a permit.  For more information visit the California Fish and Game website.

In addition, the Naturalist Center does not provide assistance with the identification of pests (including mites, bed bugs or sick plants). Below are a few suggestions where you can get assistance.

Pest Information/Management

• http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/index.html
• http://ecologycenter.org/factsheets/#pest
• http://www.smcmad.org/mosquitoes.htm
• http://www.smcmad.org/yllw_jacket_wasp_removal.htm

 Identification Services

• http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=9353&page=4
• http://www.askthebugman.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43&Itemid=98 
• http://ucanr.org/sites/MGsSMSF/Ask_a_Master_Gardener/
• http://www.smcmad.org/insect_id.htm 
• http://www.smcmad.org/ticks.htm

The Naturalist Center hosts a variety of activities. Scheduled programs are subject to change.  Check with Naturalist Center staff when you arrive for current times.

• Friday Craft at the Naturalist Center - Join us for a fun and educational craft. Spark your curiosity, be creative, and explore natural history specimens and other resources. Fridays, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.

• Girl Scout Living Eco-Wise Patch Program for Brownies - Increase your eco-awareness and discover what makes the Academy the greenest museum in the world in this hands-on program for Girl Scouts in grades 2 - 3. Saturday, April 14 and Saturday, May 19, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. For more information, including how to register click here.

• Girl Scout Rainforest Expedition Patch - Brownies and Juniors can earn this fun patch while they explore our exhibits on rainforests. To learn more click here.

• International Migratory Bird Day - In partnership with Golden Gate Audubon and the San Francisco Planning Department, the Naturalist Center is celebrating a bird-filled week of fun educational activities, presentations and field trips. Monday - Sunday, May 7 -13.

• NanoDays - Discover nanoscale science and engineering and its potential impact on the future during NanoDays, a nationwide festival of educational programs. March 24 - April 1.

• Science Story Adventures - Come explore the natural world through stories, experiments, games and crafts.  For ages 4 - 8.  Check out our online handouts on the Naturalist Center Blog. Sundays, 2:30 pm, in the Classroom (L3).

• Science Games - Click on the heart icon at the top of the screen on the Naturalist Center computers to find a list of games you can play.

• Specimen Spotlight-  Find out more about your Naturalist Center favorites.  Join us for a short presentation on Fridays, 11:30 am, in front of the Project Lab (L1). Starting March 29, program moves to Thursdays, 11:30 am.
  

Growing Up Asian in America
Science and the World Around You
2012 Student Essay and Art Contest: Our Oceans
Presented by the Asian Pacific Fund and the California Academy of Sciences

Middle school students can share their wonder of and desire to protect one of our most precious resources by entering our essay and art contest. Dive into hands-on activities related to oceans at the Academy and in public library branches.

Growing up Asian in America is an annual essay and art contest. The contest always has a theme, and prizes are awarded each year. This year there is an added program with prizes for a science contest about oceans.

Prizes
First Place: $500
Second Place: $250
Third Place: $150
Honorable Mention: $100

Get Inspired!

• Visit the Academy. The first 100 registered participants for the contest receive a free family pass to the Academy. You can also visit for free with the Check Out San Francisco Pass available at San Francisco Public Libraries or the Discover and Go Pass available at Oakland Public Libraries.
• Come face to face with the creatures in the Philippine Coral Reef and California Coast exhibits.
• Delve deeper into ocean ecosystems with the library resources and specimens in the Naturalist Center.
• Participate in the Dive into Coral Reefs program at public library branches. Dates, times and locations to be announced soon.

Click here for more ideas for your contest entry and to register for the contest. Growing Up Asian Contest 2012 »

Download the Official Contest Guidelines and Entry Form here.  Our Oceans Contest Rules and Entry Form »

Contest made possible through the generosity of Loretta Huahn and the support of the Oakland and San Francisco Public Libraries.

General Principles

The Naturalist Center provides access to electronic resources as one way of fulfilling our mission to promote lifelong learning, offer individualized, in-depth inquiry about the natural world, and inspire people to play a role in sustaining life on Earth.

The Internet offers access to ideas, information and commentary from around the world that can be personally, professionally and culturally enriching. However, not all sources on the Internet are accurate, complete or up-to-date. The Naturalist Center assumes responsibility only for the information provided on its web site. We do not monitor, have no control over, and do not accept responsibility for material in other sources on the Internet.

Internet access is free and available to all visitors of the Naturalist Center.

Responsibilities of Users

• All Library computer equipment and software must be used as installed. Users are not permitted to delete, add to, or modify the installed hardware or software. If you experience technical problems, ask library staff for help. Do not attempt to fix the problem yourself.

• Use of computers will be on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointments will be taken. Users will limit their time to 20 minutes if others are waiting, or at the request of the library staff.

• Children eight and under must use the computer, including the Internet, with their accompanying adult.

• Parents and children are encouraged to start their exploration of the Internet with the Naturalist Center web site, especially the Web Bibliographies section. There they will find many sites for children, chosen by Naturalist Center staff. Naturalist Center staff can also provide assistance in determining search strategies and evaluating sites.

• Access to particular kinds of activity, such as e-mail, may be prohibited or limited at the discretion of Naturalist Center staff.

• The Naturalist Center provides printing at a cost of 15 cents per page. Only staff can print documents for visitors; visitors must ask staff for assistance to print.

Unacceptable Uses of Naturalist Center Computers

• Insulting, harassing or attacking other users or Naturalist Center staff.

• Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures.

• Gaining unauthorized access to the Library’s network or computer systems, to any other network or computer system, or violating the privacy, individual rights and privileges of other users. Damaging or attempting to damage computer equipment or software.

• Violating copyright laws or software licensing agreements.

• Modifying software or programs installed on Library Internet workstations.

• Installing personal software on Library workstations.

• Accessing Internet resources that may incur financial charges or fees to the Library’s account. In the event that such fees are incurred, either deliberately or inadvertently, the user will be responsible for payment and may be liable for criminal prosecution.

Violations may result in restrictions on Naturalist Center use. Illegal uses of computers may also be subject to prosecution by local, state or federal authorities.

Honoring Copyright

U.S. Copyright law (Title 17, US Code) prohibits the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted materials (including electronic mail, text, images, programs or data) without the explicit permission of the copyright holder. Any responsibility for consequences of copyright infringement lies with the user; the Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility resulting from such use.

Computer and Internet Use Policy adapted from Academy Library, San Francisco Public Library and Madison Public Library policies.