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 The Othmer Library
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315 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19106-2702
Phone: 215-873-8269
Fax: 215-629-5269
reference@chemheritage.org

Library Hours
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday*
Electronic Access
The Library’s online public access catalog (OPAC) is available at http://othmerlib.chemheritage.org


Researchers are asked to contact staff to make an appointment in advance of a visit. All researchers must provide a photo ID upon arrival. Please note our holiday closings.

Library Holdings
The Othmer Library of Chemical History’s print collection contains more than 100,000 volumes of primary resources for the history of chemistry.
Learn more about our holdings


Library Use & Services
The collection of the Othmer Library is open to all users. The Library offers reference services, interlibrary loan, and document delivery services.
Services, hours, and contact information

Oral History Collection
This is a collection of comprehensive, professionally edited interviews with leading figures in chemistry, the molecular sciences, and related process industries.
Discover CHF's oral histories

Featured Books
A series of interactive presentations that provide an up-close view of some of our most interesting books.
Explore the featured books

The Roy G. Neville Historical Chemical Library
The Neville collection dates from 15th century to 20th century and includes many of the most important works in the history of science and technology.
Learn about the collection

Recent Acquisitions
The Library's collection is always expanding.
Discover our most recent acquisitions

The Bolton Society
An organization of chemical bibliophiles, the Bolton Society encourages collection of printed material devoted to the history of chemistry and supports the Library as a primary repository for such material.
Join the Society



Library staff

Donate books


Beckman Center Fellowships and Grants
The Beckman Center, an arm of the Othmer Library, is devoted to fostering a community of visiting scholars.


Brown Bag Lectures
CHF's series of informal talks, open to the public


Neville Prize
Biography of William Crookes takes 2009 Neville Prize in Bibliography or Biography.