About

Section of plate B41215 showing a positive image of Halley's comet against a starry sky.
Section of Plate B41215 showing Halley's Comet in 1910.

The John G. Wolbach Library houses both Harvard College Observatory and Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory collections, forming one of the world’s preeminent astronomical libraries.

The Wolbach Library's extensive collection is constantly evolving, and our special collections include primary sources associated with the institution’s history, as well as archival publications, papers, and objects created by observatories worldwide.

Library Mission

We facilitate the creation and sharing of new knowledge by providing resources that respond to, and anticipate, challenges that impact the astronomy community.

Principles and Priorities

The below principles and priorities shape the Library's work and guide how staff build, organize, manage, house, and preserve collections of physical and digital artifacts.