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Welcome!
Situated
at the center of the world's largest museum complex, the Smithsonian
Institution Libraries (SIL) forms a vital part of the research,
exhibition, and educational enterprise of the Institution. Each
Smithsonian scholar engages in an individual "voyage of discovery,"
using the artifacts and specimens of the National Collections in
conjunction with the written and illustrated record of the past.
The Libraries is uniquely positioned to help visitors understand
the continuing vitality of this relationship.
Today,
the Smithsonian Libraries participates in the advancement of science
and the arts, just as we have done from the inception of the Institution.
Our role vis-à-vis the Institution, the federal government,
universities, and the American people has grown, changing to meet
the needs of the times. Acting as both public and academic library,
as both scholarly resource and general information service, the
Libraries offers a galaxy of resources and the help of informed
staff to anyone via the Internet or in person.
The
Smithsonian Institution Libraries unites 20 libraries into one system
supported by an online catalog of the combined collections. We maintain
publication exchanges with more than 4,000 institutions worldwide
that supply Smithsonian scientists and curators with current periodicals,
exhibition catalogs, and professional society publications. Through
preservation treatments, experts work to save the Smithsonian's
1.5 million printed books and manuscripts for future generations.
Skilled catalogers apply new "metadata" rules to make
websites as accessible as books on the shelf. Our Imaging Center
creates electronic versions of rare books and other distinctive
collections, as well as exhibitions and specialized finding aids.
The Libraries offers its treasures to the nation through book exhibitions,
lectures, special tours, and a well-designed public website.
Come
explore and discover the SI Libraries! You'll be glad you did.
Nancy
E. Gwinn
Director
Smithsonian Institution Libraries
Office
of the Director
Smithsonian Institution Libraries
PO Box 37012 MRC 154
Washington, DC 20013-7012
Phone: 202.633.2240
Fax: 202.786.2866
Smithsonian
Institution Libraries
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