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Using the Library

Information for readers and fellows.

 

Thank you for your interest in the Huntington Library. We are an independent research library for the humanities that welcomes researchers from all over the world. The Reader Services Department, located within the library in the Munger Research Center, is happy to assist you with your research.

Researchers ages 18+ may use the Library’s reading rooms upon establishing a research need that requires the use of The Huntington’s collections, identifying specific materials, and presenting the required form(s) of identification at orientation.

If you are unable to visit us in person, please see the Remote Services section.

Need to renew your library card? Schedule a Library Orientation appointment.

Upcoming Library Closures

  • Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29, 2024
  • Winter Break: Monday, December 23, 2024, through Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Special Library Hours

  • Wednesday, November 27: The Library will close at 5 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 3: The Special Collections (Ahmanson) Reading Room will close at 4 p.m. The General Collections (Rothenberg) Reading Room and stacks areas will remain open. Regular hours resume on Wednesday, December 4.
  • Friday, December 13: The Special Collections Reading Room will open at 11 a.m. The General Collections Reading Room and stacks areas will remain open. Regular hours resume on Monday, December 16.
  • Tuesday, December 17: The Library will open at 2 p.m. Regular hours resume on Wednesday, December 18.

Start Your Research

  • Summon Discovery: Similar to a web search engine, Summon simultaneously searches the library's databases such as the library catalog, digital library, electronic journals, and more. Visit the Summon Search Tips guide for details.
  • Library Catalog: Search the Huntington's library catalog for rare books, manuscripts, visual materials and more.
  • Online Archive of California: Search hundreds of Huntington finding aids.
  • Huntington Digital Library: Search over 250,000 images of library holdings with new content added regularly.
  • California Revealed: Find selected audiovisual materials from The Huntington's archives.
  • Research Guides: Explore subject guides related to The Huntington's vast library collections.
  • Library Collections: Information about The Huntington Library's collecting strengths and areas of specialization.

Published guides to four of the library's major collecting areas are freely available in the HathiTrust Digital Library:

Questions? Ask Us!

Reader Services staff are available to connect you with research resources and library collections. Contact the library to submit your research question, inquire about library services, or browse our FAQs.