About AAS

Frequently Asked Questions

General

• How much is my book worth?
• How do I donate my old books, newspapers, graphics, or manuscripts to AAS?
• How do I become a friend or member?
• What does the "mwa" in your e-mail addresses stand for?
What does the motto on the AAS seal mean?
• Where are the fish?

Library Use

• Who can use the library and check out books?
• How do I become a reader at AAS?
• Is it possible to visit the library without becoming a reader?
• I am a student working on a paper for school. Can I use the library?
• When is the library open?
• How much does it cost to use the library?
• I am doing genealogical research. What collections and services does AAS offer?
• How do I ask for the materials I want to see?
• Will I be able to photocopy from library materials?
• May I search the AAS catalog online before visiting the library?

For a complete listing of upcoming events at AAS, please view our online calendar of events

• How much is my book worth?

  AAS cannot provide information on the valuation of books, manuscripts, or graphic arts. The link below will lead you to the American Library Association's succinct description answering many common questions about "Your Old Books" at http://www.rbms.info/yob.shtml.

   

• How do I donate my old books, newspapers, graphics, or manuscripts to AAS?

  Thank you for considering donating items to AAS! Our collections have been augmented by almost 200 years of generous donations, and our curators are always excited about adding more gifts to their collections. If your item was printed prior to 1877 in what became the United States or Canada, chances are it is either a "have" or a "want" - anything we do not already have, we want! AAS also collects manuscript material such as family letters, diaries, or local institutional records, primarily from New England.

  To find out if your item is just what AAS has been looking for, please contact the appropriate curator listed below. Give them as much detailed information as possible describing what you have. The curator will determine whether it would make an appropriate addition to AAS's collections. As mentioned above, AAS cannot provide any information regarding the valuation of items.

  One other note: Please do not just leave an abandoned box of books on the doorstep. This makes everyone sad, especially the books.

• Curator of Books: David R. Whitesell
  dwhitesell[at]mwa.org - (508) 471-2165
• Curator of Manuscripts: Thomas G. Knoles
  tknoles[at]mwa.org - (508) 471-2175
• Curator of Graphic Arts: Georgia B. Barnhill
  gbarnhill[at]mwa.org - (508) 471-2173
• Curator of Newspapers and Periodicals: Vincent L. Golden
  vgolden[at]mwa.org - (508) 471-2148
• Curator of Children's Literature: Laura E. Wasowicz
  lwasowicz[at]mwa.org - (508) 471-2146

• How do I become a friend or member?

  Friends are invited to join the Alliance for the American Antiquarian Society. The gifts of generations of individuals, stretching back for nearly 190 years, have made this institution what it is. Join that proud tradition by making your gift to sustain a vibrant present and ensure a strong future for the Society.

  Members, who now number more than 800 persons, are elected by their colleagues in recognition of scholarship, for support of cultural institutions, for manifest interest in bibliographical matters, or for distinction as community or national leaders in humanistic affairs.

   

• What does the "mwa" in the Society's e-mail address stand for?

  The "mwa" in the American Antiquarian Society's e-mail address is the library's Union List of Serials and National Union Catalog code. It is shorthand for: Massachusetts Worcester American Antiquarian Society.

   

• What does the motto on the AAS seal mean?

  The motto on the AAS seal is the whole of line 872 in Book XV of Ovid's Metamorphoses.

  The meaning of the line is best understood in the context of two lines, 871 and 872, which in the Latin reads:

  Iamque opus exegi, quod nec Iovis ira nec ignis
  nec poterit ferrum nec edax abolere vetustas.

  This has been translated into English as

  And now my work is done, which neither the anger of Jupiter, nor fire,
  nor sword, nor the gnawing tooth of time shall ever be able to destroy.

   

• Where are the fish?

  Believe it or not, this question has come up more than once! To clear up any confusion, we are the American Antiquarian Society. We are not an aquarium or "antiquarium" (whatever that may be). Antiquarians are interested in antiquities or antiques, primarily rare books. Consequently, the only fish we have are illustrations printed in early American books or graphic arts.

  Our name was given to us by our founder, Isaiah Thomas, in 1812. At that time it accurately reflected the society's holdings, which included Native American artifacts, canoes, etc. Early in the 20th century, the Society decided to focus its collections on printed materials. While the term "antiquarian" has taken on negative connotations in some circles, we believe it accurately represents the Society's heritage.

   

• Who can use the library and check out books?

  The American Antiquarian Society is a research library. Experienced researchers who are working on specific projects that require the use of the collections may apply to use the library.

  Materials are consulted only in the library's reading room.

  Read more about using the library.

   

• How do I become a reader at AAS?

  The library is open, free of charge, to experienced researchers who are working on projects that require use of the collections. New readers must complete an application describing their research project and must have available two forms of identification (one bearing a photo, e.g., a driver's license or passport). As part of their orientation to the library, all new readers meet with a senior staff member to discuss their research interests and to review reading room policies.

  Read more about using the library.

   

• Is it possible to visit the library without becoming a reader?

  Free public tours of Antiquarian Hall, the Society's library building, are given every Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock. The tour lasts about one hour.

  Reservations are not necessary, but advance notice is required for groups of more than ten persons.

   

• I am a student working on a paper for school. Can I use the library?

  Undergraduate students must present a letter of introduction from a professor or project advisor. High school students generally do not need to use the library, but if one does show a genuine need and is approved, a parent or a teacher must accompany him or her.

  Read more about using the library.

   

• When is the library open?

  Monday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
  Thursday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  

  The library is closed on legal holidays

   

• How much does it cost to use the library?

  The use of the library is free to experienced researchers who are working on specific projects that require the use of the collections.

   

• I am doing genealogical research. What services and collections does AAS offer?

  The American Antiquarian Society has a very strong collection of published genealogical material focusing on early North American lines of descent, including French-Canadian genealogies. Not only is this collection used by genealogists but it is also used extensively by scholars working on biographical, historical, and literary topics. Currently, the collection numbers over 17,000 family histories, plus 2,000 genealogical reference works.

  The Local History collection at the American Antiquarian Society encompasses more than 55,000 volumes published between 1821 and the present. It is among the largest and most frequently used resources at the Society, and is the one collection that best reflects the Society's national scope, for it includes works of all fifty states and for thousands of their constituent counties and local communities.

  In order to derive maximum benefit from the Society's genealogical collections, readers are encouraged to do preliminary research before applying to use the Society's collections.

  For more information see our genealogy and our local, county, and state history pages.

  Read more about using the library.

   

• How do I ask for the materials I want to see?

  Given the age, rarity, and fragility of most of its collections, AAS maintains a closed-stack library. This means readers need to fill out a request for a book or item rather than get it themselves. A staff member will retrieve the material and bring it to the reader in the reading room. Selected bibliographies, genealogical resources, and finding aids are available in the reading room. These may be consulted by readers directly.

  Books, newspapers, graphic arts or manuscripts can all be requested with a call slip. During the orientation interview guidance will be provided on how to find call numbers and where to turn in completed call slips at the reference desk.

  Read more about using the library.

   

• Will I be able to photocopy from library materials?

  Some items cannot be photocopied, usually because they are oversized, extremely rare, or fragile. Many of our earliest books, newspapers, and ephemera are now available digitally or on microfilm. Print out from these sources rather than requesting photocopies of the originals.

  For items that are eligible for photocopying, readers fill out a photocopy request form available at the reference desk. All photocopying is done by AAS staff members. Photocopying is limited to 20 pages per reader per day and the charge for photocopying is 40 cents per page.

  Readers assume all responsibility for observing the legal requirements of copyright. Read more about Rights & Reproductions.

   

• May I search the AAS catalog online before visiting the library?

  Yes. Its address is http://catalog.mwa.org