Library Visitor Info
General Information
The Ewell Sale Stewart Library at the Academy of Natural Sciences is open to the public, Tuesday 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:
Ewell Sale Stewart Library
The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Please note the library and archives are closed for the following holidays:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King's Birthday
President's Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
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.
Using the Archives and Manuscript Collections
The Academy Archives welcomes researchers on-site and also offers consultation to those unable to visit in person. Appointments are required for on-site research. To request an appointment, contact the archivist:
Clare Flemming, M.S., C.A
Brooke Dolan Archivist
The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: 215-299-1075
Email:
Go to Academy Archives for more information on archival finding aids, guides and archival services.
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.