Department of Herpetology Library
Appointments to use the Library can be made through the Department of Herpetology at 617-495-2496.
The library is open Monday – Friday: 10:00am – 4:00pm. There is no full-time librarian and, for security and safety reasons, a staff member must always be present when the library is in use. Special arrangements must be made for library use requiring extensive "browsing" or if intensive assistance is required of the Herpetology staff. These special arrangements will be made at the discretion of the Herpetology staff, and are subject to other commitments of the staff during any given time. Users requiring such use should make preparations well in advance of their anticipated need.
Filing System
Alphabetical Order – All cards are alphabetixed by senior author’s name. Names starting with particles, such as de/De, von, etc. are filed by the particle.
Chronological Order – Under each author, cards are filed in the following order: No date; straight chronological order (oldest to most recent); for works of the same year, single authorship filed before multiple authorship.
Reprints
They are located in file cabinets arranged around the library work space to the back wall, and around the back of these cabinets down to the library entrance. Reprints are alphabetized by senior author’s name. Again, names starting with particles are filed under the particle. Reprints are filed in reversed chronological order; most recent reprints are located in the front of the file. Within the same year, single authorship is filed before multiple authorship. Undated works are found at the front of the file.
Herpetology by Geographic Location
These herpetological works relate to specific geographic areas and are arranged by area such as Asia, Europe, etc.; alphabetical by senior author within each geographical section. These books are located on the back wall rear area shelves. These shelves are labeled by geographic location.
General Books
These are books unrelated to a specific geographic area. They are located on the shelves bordering the library work space, near the center of the room. The shelves are lettered horizontally, from left to right, alphabetical by senior author.
Periodicals and Gazetteers
Periodicals and gazetteers are located on the shelves against the rear wall.
Reprints
Reprints do not circulate, but may be consulted on the library premises during the hours previously listed (see…). A staff member will escort visitors wishing to duplicate reprints to the MCZ photocopiers.
Geographic and General Books
These books owned by the Harvard University Museum of Comparative Zoology Library (MCZ, 2nd Floor: 617-495-2475 link to mcz lib). These books can be identified by either the MCZ Library call number on the cover or a Harvard University book plate on their inside cover.
MCZ Library books can be checked out by those with MCZ Library borrowing privileges. A Herpetology staff member will fill out an orange Department of Herpetology borrowing card for any book to be borrowed. In addition, the staff member will bring up this material to the MCZ Library, where all material to be borrowed will also be checked out according to regular MCZ Library procedures.
Books owned by the Department of Herpetology do not circulate. They may be consulted on the Herpetology Library premises during its regular hours (link hours).