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Library Visitor Info

General Information

The Ewell Sale Stewart Library at the Academy of Natural Sciences is open to the public, Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Those wishing to use the library for research or receive other services are advised to schedule an appointment.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment please call (215) 299-1040 or email . Postal inquiries may be sent to:

Please note the library and archives are closed for the following holidays:

Registration

All researchers using the Archival or Library Collections must complete the Application for Research Form at the circulation desk. A current photo ID is required when registering.

Researchers must leave all personal items (including briefcases and bags) at the circulation desk while visiting the Library.

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Using the Archives and Manuscript Collections

These collections are open to research by appointment only, Monday through Friday, 1:00 - 4:30pm. (Because of staffing size, please note that these collections may be closed during vacations and other absences.) After completing the Application for Research Form, researchers will be interviewed to establish how the Archivist and Library staff may best assist them.

To inquire about these collections, or to inquire about appointments, contact the Archivist via email to or by phone at 215-299-1140. A brief description of the researcher’s work and specific inquiries about our holdings will be helpful.

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Using the Library Collections

Requesting Materials

The Library provides access to its printed materials through an OPAC (online public access catalog) available at work stations in the Reading Room or via the Online Catalog. The Library uses Library of Congress classification which can have up to a five-line call number. Please copy the complete call number as well as any location and format information when requesting items.

The Library is a non-circulating, closed-stacks collection. Materials requested on Library paging slips will be brought to the reading room for use. A paging slip must be filled out for each item requested from the stacks. Give all completed slips to a member of the library staff so that the staff can retrieve the items from the stacks. The Library pages books until 4:15 each day.

Handling Materials

No food or drink is allowed in the library. Handle all materials from the collection carefully. Please use a pencil when taking notes —no pens are allowed. Use the book cradles, book weights, cotton gloves, and acid free book markers supplied by the library when handling older or delicate items. Turn pages carefully. Ask staff for help if you feel a book is in poor condition.

Photocopying

Self-service photocopies may be made of items in good condition from the general collection. Self-service photocopies are $0.25 per page. Library staff will photocopy rare or fragile materials for $0.50 per page.

Other imaging of rare and fragile materials and photography work must be arranged through our Reproduction Services. No scanners or film or digital cameras may be used to make reproductions of library materials.

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