The Main Library has over 175,000 volumes, subscribes to over 200 current journals and magazines and offers free wireless access to the Internet. The general public may visit during library hours.
It specializes in the subject areas reflected by the ROM's collections:
- Archaeology of Central and North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia
- Native peoples of North America, Africa and the Pacific
- Decorative arts of Canada, Europe and Asia
- Life sciences, including botany, entomology, zoology, ornithology, ichthyology, herpetology and mammalogy
- Earth sciences, including mineralogy, geochronology and geology
- Palaeontology
- Costume and textiles
The Main Library is enriched by several significant collections. J.H. Fleming gave the Museum his comprehensive collection of books relating to ornithology, including many rare and valuable titles. William Barretts' bequest added greatly to the extensive costume collection. The holdings are also particularly strong in the areas of museology, Greek vase-painting, Egyptology and ethnology.
Electronic indexes and full-text journals at the University of Toronto Libraries can be accessed using a computer terminal in the Sackler Reading Room.
The Main Library maintains an information database on artifacts from the ROM's collections.
Archives
The Archives contain historical documents relating to the Museum, including manuscripts and photographs. There are several print finding aids for the Archives. A small number of the photographs are available via ROM Images or browse our collection on the Internet Archive.
Catalogue & Circulation
The holdings of the Main Library are included in the online catalogue for the University of Toronto Libraries.
Please take note of the entire call number, the holdings (which lists the libraries that have a particular title and where in the library the item is located) and the location (which notes if the book is in the library or available on 24-hour request). Locations are critical to easily locating the item. Make a habit of noting location together with the call number. You may call ahead 416.586.5595 or e-mail library@rom.on.ca to make sure that the materials are available for your use.
Please Note: For certain materials the location may read "Available upon request - 24 hours" or "Checked out until 2020". These books are located in our curatorial departments, but may be retrieved with 24-hours notice, either by phone 416.586.5595, e-mail library@rom.on.ca or in person.
Materials from the H.H. Mu Far Eastern Library (open to the public via the Staff Entrance on weekdays 1:00 - 5:00 pm) can also be requested for use in the Main Library.
Library materials must be consulted in the Sackler Reading Room. Reference books and the latest issues of selected periodicals are shelved in the Sackler Reading Room. All other items are housed in closed stacks. Staff members are available to assist in identifying and locating material in the collections. Requests for material should be presented to the staff, who will retrieve the items for use in the Sackler Reading Room.
Library materials may only be borrowed by ROM staff, Ryerson and University of Toronto faculty, and University of Toronto students in the Faculty of Information.
There are two major print finding aids for the archival collection located in the Main Library. One is for institutional records and the other is for the special collections relating to individuals and groups associated with the Museum, especially in the area of natural history.
The collections are non-circulating; retrieval requests have to be made. Staff members are available to assist in identifying and locating material in the collections. Users may advise the staff ahead of time of what they would like to research so that the appropriate arrangements can be made by phone 416.586.5595 or e-mail (library@rom.on.ca).
Contact
Tel: 416.586.5595
Fax: 416.586.5519
E-mail: library@rom.on.ca