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 The Othmer Library
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Images of paintings and photographs from the CHF collection

The Donald F. & Mildred Topp Othmer Library of Chemical History

315 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19106-2702
Tel: 215-873-8205
Fax: 215-629-5205
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 encouraged to contact staff to make an appointment in advance of a visit. All researchers must provide a photo ID upon arrival.

* Please note that the Library is closed on most public holidays. If your visit may land on or near a holiday, kindly consult the list of holiday closings prior to your arrival.


Library Holdings
The Othmer Library of Chemical History’s print collection contains more than 100,000 volumes of primary resources for the history of the chemical and molecular sciences, technologies, and industries.
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 the chemical and molecular sciences and related process industries.
Discover CHF's oral histories
Featured Books
A new 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 chemical and molecular sciences, and supports the Library as a primary repository for such material.
Join the Society

Library staff

Book Donations

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

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

Neville Prize Cultural history of Mendeleev takes 2007 Neville Prize in Bibliography or Biography.