Frequently Asked Questions about the Yosemite Library

Research Library

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The Yosemite Research Library is a specialized library focusing on human and natural history. It preserves Yosemite's documented history and serves the research needs of Yosemite National Park staff and partners. Collections include primary and secondary source materials.

The Yosemite Library is closed until further notice. The park librarian is working remotely to support people wanting to access library resources. Find information here regarding our online card catalog, images available through NPGallery, and further resources available through the Department of the Interior (DOI) Library web portal. Who may use the collections and how? National Park Service and park partner staff may request materials and assistance. Arrangements may be made for the borrowing of materials as needed. This includes personnel in all park districts. Email the park librarian with questions or to make arrangements. Members of the public may request assistance with a specific research question, but do not have access the collection at this time. Email the Yosemite Archives with questions.

 

How may I look up a publication in the catalog?

Yosemite Library books are searchable in the NPS Libris Catalog. It is recommended to use the “advanced” search function, which enables limiting results to YOSE, thus saving time. There are links to further resources on the right side of this page under “Explore NPS” that include technical reports, images and descriptions of a wide range of museum collections within the National Park Service.

The Department of the Interior Library offers additional resources such as electronic journals and Interlibrary Loan.

Inter-library loan via the Denver Service Center is an option for borrowing materials not in the Yosemite collection.

Once county offices re-open, it is recommended that personnel obtain a public library card as the Mariposa County system has an excellent program for obtaining audio books, DVDs, and recreational reading material, as well as databases not available in the National Park Service library system.

May I check out materials from the library?

Full borrowing privileges are extended to National Park Service (NPS) staff and partners with a current borrower’s agreement on file. Materials may be returned via interoffice mail in a "holey envelope" addressed to the Yosemite Library.

Returned materials will undergo a quarantine period before return to circulation per Library of Congress guidelines, which may result in a delay in availability for high use items.

How can I get reproductions of materials?

Requests for reproductions from library and special collections may be available, depending on the item's condition.

How do I get permission to publish an image from the collection?

Any image located using NPGallery is in the public domain and available for free download.

If a requested image is pulled from the files, a signed permission agreement and copyright agreement is required. There is a fee for non-NPS or park partner requests. Review our copyright agreement [9 kb PDF] for more information. View our cost recovery [168 kb PDF] guidelines and image request form [153 kb PDF] for more information.