Academy of Natural Sciences
This library is small to medium sized, which means that you'll have ample opportunity to talk with a librarian about your research, and that its not a real high-pressure research situation. The staff is also great, which means this is a really nice place to do research.
Why visit ANS?
The Academy of Natural Sciences has sponsored a number of research expeditions during its history, and from each of those explorers have brought back specimens, pictures, and diaries. Trips to China and Japan are no different. Even if you're not interested in scientific research, the scientists on these trips recorded much more than just biological reports. They also commented on conditions, people they met, etc.
Where to Start
- The best place to start is when the guide to manuscript collections. Its available in printed form at the ANS library, and available online here:
Guide to the Manuscript Collections in the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Phillips and Phillips, 1963.
- Check the Asia Center section of online website - Goldfish, China
- The Museum has an "Asia Hall" that you'll pass on your way to the library. Stop to look at it - some of the people who brought back those animal skins, etc. have diaries and pictures stored in the archives.
- Here is a list of suggested terms and names from the librarian:
- Dolan (China, Tibet, Nepal: 1930’s-1940’s)
- Fielde, Adele (China: late 1800’s)
- Pislby? (Japan: Unprocessed – Hirohito, sea shells)
- Fishes (China: 629)
- George Davis (1980's - 1990's - studying snail disease)
- There is also an FMP database that the librarian has access to that is far more up-to-date than any of the printed guides. So if you're having trouble locating something, or want to know if the library has something that you're not aware of, then ask.
Other Tips
- This library doesn't seem to have any one specific system of using finding aids. Sometimes a finding aid exists, while other times there isn't one--but there's no place to really check beforehand. So again, your best bet is to ask the librarian for information.
- The library DOES have an Online catalog of published books, but it doesn't include manuscript collections.
- Keep this question in mind: ANS has a printed guide to manuscript collections published in 1963. What do they have that's become available since then?