National Museum of Natural History - Vertebrate Zoology Libraries

The Vertebrate Zoology satellite libraries are spread throughout the National Museum of Natural History Building. Each is located within the respective Division: Amphibians and Reptiles, Birds, Fishes and Mammals. These divisional libraries focus on the systematics, taxonomy, anatomy and physiology, ecology, distribution, and evolution of their respective subject groups. The book and periodical collections total around 25,000 volumes. They have strong collections of 19th and 20th century literature (thanks in part to the gifts of early Smithsonian curators). Materials from publishers throughout the world are actively collected. In content, the collection consists of taxonomic information from post-Linnaean research, 1758 onward, but takes in the recent geological period (past 10,000 years) as well. For materials published before 1840, see the rare book collections of the Cullman Library of Natural History.

All Vertebrate Zoology Libraries are open to the public and outside researchers by appointment only. Please contact the main Natural History Library 

Amphibians and Reptiles Library

Location : 

Reference Hours : Monday 1-4pm

The Amphibians and Reptiles Library collects books and periodicals for the whole range of herpetological subjects. It holds approximately 3,500 volumes, including 35 journal subscriptions. The library's collections follow the research interests of the Division of Amphibians and Reptiles which are evolution, morphology, and systematics of reptiles and amphibians. English and major European languages are actively sought. There is worldwide coverage with particular emphasis on North American and tropical regions of the world. 
Within the Division there is some representative children's literature; audiovisuals (records/tapes), slides and photographs, manuscripts, maps, and archives. An extensive reprint collection is maintained by the Division. Contact Addison Wynn, Collection Manager. 

Fishes Library

Location : NMNH W218

Reference Hours : Wednesday 1-4pm

The Fishes Library holds over 8,000 volumes, including 106 journal subscriptions pertaining to fishes. The library follow the major research interests in the Division of Fishes, which are the systematics and zoogeography of fishes. The library is also strong in the subject areas of life history, aquariology, and economic biology of fishes. English, major European languages, Japanese and Chinese publications are actively sought. There is worldwide coverage, especially South America (neotropics) and the marine tropics. 
Most of the rarer books are housed in the Cullman Library of Natural History. 
Within the Divison are a limited number of popular works bearing on fishes as well as charts of oceans, juvenile literature, manuscripts, archives, and slides and photographs. An extensive reprint collection is maintained by the Fishes Division.

Birds Library

Location : NMNH E609

Reference Hours : Tuesday 1-4pm

The Birds Library holds over 10,000 volumes, including approximately 100 journal subscriptions. The major scientific research in the Division of Birds, and thus the Birds libraries, is systematics of ornithology. The collection places an emphasis on palearctic, neotropical regions, and the Pacific Ocean regions though it incorporates all aspects of ornithology around the world, including evolution and structural adaptation, distribution studies, zoogeography and checklists of birds. 
Many languages are represented. There is some juvenile and popular literature where it contains significant illustrations. 
Audiovisuals (records and tapes) and atlases are collected by both the Birds Library and the Division. Field notebooks, maps, and an extensive reprint collection are maintained by the Birds Division. Contact James Dean, Collection Manager, for those items.

Mammals Library

Location : NMNH 398

Reference Hours : Thursday 1-4pm

The Mammals Library contains about 4,500 volumes, including 40 journal subscriptions. It collecting policies follow the Division of Mammals, where the major research interests are systematics, distribution, evolution, and morphology, as well as ecology and evolution of world mammals. 
Popular works and juvenile works are included if illustrations are exceptional. English and major European languages, in addition to Russian language publications are actively sought. Slides and photographs, maps, field notebooks, and an extensive reprint collection are maintained by the Division of Mammals. Contact Alfred Gardner, Curator, for these. 

Field notebooks, photographs and slides, catalogs of type specimens, and other special materials are housed in a locked area at the rear of the library Contact the librarian to view them.