Secret Stacks and Databases

The Smithsonian Institution Libraries are one of the institution’s best kept secrets as well as a great resource for those conducting research in a variety of fields. On Monday, June 17, 2012, interns visited the Si libraries for a private tour and demonstration. The headquarters for the libraries are located in the National Museum of Natural History building and are comprised of a fifteen library consortium available to any individual with an SI badge. The library possesses a great deal of hard copy sources that can be found at its headquarters. Most of its information, though, can be accessed through digital databases online at www.sil.si.edu. The digitized information allows the use of any text or images found in the database. Additionally, Smithsonian Institution Libraries maintains services such as Interlibrary Loan, that helps individuals gain access to information outside of the Smithsonian. If the SI library does not own what you need, they most certainly can find it and make it available for use. For further information, visit the library website (listed above) and contact your museum or office’s librarian for details on how the system works.