Learn about the Academy’s unsung heroes through profiles written by Academy archivists, including Careers in Science highs school interns.
Our collections include the Research, Reference, Rare Books, and Serials sections, as well as Map Collections and the Archives—home to materials related to the history of the Academy itself. And that's just for starters.
From databases of our own holdings—including the expansive Academy Library catalog—to partnerships such as The Online Archive of California (OAC) and Manzanita Image Project, we offer countless ways to access hundreds of years of natural-science history.
The Corsi Digital Library is the institutional home of the Academy's historic and naturalist photography collections.
Archivists investigated the influence of David Starr Jordan, Academy ichthyologist and eugenicist.
This summer we are having a seminar series devoted to topics that address racism and colonialism in science.
The Academy has reopened the public floor, research collections, labs and offices. As of March 2022, Covid-19 safety precautions for back-of-house visitors remain in effect, including wearing a mask while in the department and providing proof of vaccination (boosted, if eligible). For additional inquiries and to schedule a visit, contact the Library.
Academy Library and Archives
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Drive
San Francisco, CA 94118
For more information about Licensing and Image request.
Sign up for the Academy’s monthly newsletter and get a promo code for 10% off at our online retail store.
See what’s revealed—every Thursday at NightLife. Sign up for event updates and exciting announcements.