The Academy Library

Founded in 1847, the Academy Library houses one of the nation’s largest and finest collections of medical books and artifacts. Open to the public since 1878, the Academy library remains the only medical library in the New York metropolitan area open to the general public.

The Library’s main collection consists of over 750,000 volumes, more than 400 current journal subscriptions, and a variety of electronic resources.

The cornerstone of the Library's Historical Collections is the Malloch Rare Book Room, which contains over 35,000 rare and important books, manuscripts, archives and artifacts documenting the history of medicine, science and other health-related disciplines (about 32,000 of which date from 1700 BC to 1800 AD). These materials are supplemented by an in-depth collection of secondary resources.

In an effort to preserve its resources for future generations, the Library operates its own on-site book and paper conservation laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility which employs techniques as new as ultrasound and as old as pulp-making to keep fragile historical materials intact.

The Library also conducts extensive outreach activities to the public through NOAH (New York Online Access to Health) an awarding-winning, easy-to-understand, bilingual consumer health information website, the provision of information resource services and technical assistance to HIV/AIDS and Asthma-focused community-based organizations and the sponsorship of medical information classes that are open to the public.

Contribute Now to help support the Academy Library’s provide quality medical and health information to thousands of individuals annually and to preserve the condition and access of its unique and important collections for future generations.

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