The Library is located on the 3rd floor as you exit the elevator from the Museum Entrance. The library holdings reflect the areas of the museum's research including: anthropology, archaeology, astronomy, botany, geology, invertebrate zoology, museology, mycology, paleontology, and vertebrate zoology. The Library provides public computing terminals and wireless networking. It is open during select hours to the public or by appointment. Reference services are available during these hours, and reference questions are also welcomed by email at library@sciencebuff.org.
The library holdings reflect the areas of the museum's research including: anthropology, archaeology, astronomy, botany, geology, invertebrate zoology, museology, mycology, paleontology, and vertebrate zoology.
Rare Book Collection: This collection contains mainly pre 1900 volumes and is considered the most valuable in the IRC. It contains volumes ranging from classic works of ornithology to Mayan Codex's. Many of the works in this collection are numbered copies, many in runs of 1000 or less, indicating the uniqueness and value of the collection. Special Collections: This collection contains many works of regional importance to the Niagara Frontier, Museum related authors and works by famous naturalists and scientists. Much of the collection dates to the 1800's and early 1900's. Several of the volumes are signed by the authors. Hamlin Oriental Art Collection: Volumes concerning the art and archaeology of Asia were collected by former Museum President, Chauncy Hamlin, and donated to the Museum and placed in this collection in memory of his second wife, Elizabeth W. Hamlin . This collection is both valuable and unique, containing many volumes that are rare and important in this field. The journal Kokka published in Tokyo, an early serial devoted to art history, is a highlight of this collection. Archives: The Archives contains the historical documentation of the Buffalo Society of the Natural Sciences, parent organization of the Buffalo Museum of Science, from its inception in the 1860s. This collection documents administrative history, as well as, programming, education, curatorial services, collections and exhibits. Also contained are the various Museum publications and thousands of photographs documenting the various activities, programs, people and research of the Buffalo Museum of Science.
