Library at Home

The library's Ahmanson Reading Room is open to researchers by appointment only. As of July 1, 2021, access is limited to those who wish to consult rare materials including both first-time applicants and renewing readers. We will continue to expand access as we are able over the coming months.

Reading room access can be provided to any individual age 18+ upon establishing a research need that requires use of The Huntington's collections, identifying specific materials, and presenting the required form(s) of identification at orientation. Due to space constraints, the reading room cannot accommodate group visits.

If you are visiting the library for the first time, you must make an appointment and request materials at least five business days in advance. The library's collections are non-circulating and are used within the reading room or other designated spaces within the library.

Reading room appointments are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1–4 p.m.
Apply for access to the library and request an appointment (subject to availability). 

Proof of vaccination is required to enter the library as of Sept. 7, 2021. See our Using the Library guide for more information.

Oxford Databases at The Huntington

Good news! Readers with current reader cards now have access to Oxford Art Online. Oxford Art Online is:

• The gateway to Oxford’s art reference works, including the peer-reviewed, regularly updated Grove® Dictionary of Art and the Benezit Dictionary of Artists
• OAO includes over 200,000 articles that span ancient to contemporary art and architecture, as well as over 19,000 images of works of art, structures, plans, and artist signatures.

Newly Published Finding Aids
Explore digital finding aids we've published this year:

Jay T. Last collection of entertainment: Schaefer's Opera House business correspondence

Thomas Hastie Bell correspondence

Aerospace oral history project

Lawrence D. Longo invoices and subject files

Warren D. Chase papers​

Paul Theroux papers

Francis Marion Crawford papers

Browse additional finding aids for Huntington collections online via the Online Archive of California (OAC).

Recently Digitized Collections

The Huntington Digital Library provides free, public access to a selection of materials digitized from the Huntington Library collections. Though only a fraction of the Huntington’s diverse holdings are represented, content is regularly added to the Digital Library. Recent highlights include:

Drafts of Henry David Thoreau's "Walden"

Cartographic materials from the Kashnor Collection of Early American Maps

Rare medical books from the 15th and 16th centuries.