Explore the Collections
Books & Pamphlets
The library’s extensive book collection includes books on every aspect of film production, as well as monographs on cinema history and criticism and biographies of performers, directors and other filmmaking personnel. The collection ranges from pre-cinema era treatises to the most up-to-date texts on motion picture technology, and includes not only American publications but a selection of books from around the world. More
Core Collection Files
Divided into five categories – Production, Biography, Subject, Awards and Festivals, and Academy History – these files include a treasure trove of press clippings, publicity material and photographs, as well as Academy publications and Oscar telecast scripts. More
Graphic Arts Collection
The library’s collection of posters and costume and production design drawings represents a wide range of productions, from early novelty films to current theatrical releases, and features many rare and unique items. More
Oral History Program
Interviews with prominent industry figures document their lives and careers and cover subjects ranging from art direction and film editing to censorship and Academy history. Each of the interviews has been transcribed, edited and indexed. More
Periodicals
The library's periodical collection covers filmmaking from the early 1900s to the present and includes in-house studio publications, industry trade journals, fan magazines and microfilm editions of rare periodicals. More
Photograph Archive
Scene stills, portraits, wardrobe and makeup test shots, location reference stills, premieres, behind-the-scenes shots, candid photos, and images of studios, theaters and landmarks make up just some of the library’s more than ten million photographs. More
Scripts
The Core Collection contains screenplays dating from 1910 to the present. The collection includes scripts for silent films, foreign language productions, documentaries, animated features and shorts, and cult favorites. Additional screenplays can be found in the library’s Special Collections. More
Special Collections
The library collects a rich array of materials documenting the lives and careers of prominent individuals as well as the activities of companies and organizations. Items found in the more than one thousand Special Collections include scripts in various drafts, production materials, personal and business correspondence, sheet music, music scores, sound recordings and scrapbooks. More
