We are proud to make our searchable, automated library catalog available here.

HISTORY OF THE CSC LIBRARY

The Center for Sex & Culture was born from, and is sustained by, donated collections of books, magazines, journals, zines, comics, dissertations, works of art, videos, memorabilia and the personal papers of key members of the community. It is being cataloged by a team of dedicated volunteers and interns, under the supervision of Jane Sumner, MLS. The process began in earnest in 2005 and since that time over 2,500 items have been barcoded and cataloged in the Center's integrated library system, Resourcemate™.


THE COLLECTION

The collection is unique in the world in its dedication to collecting and preserving information about sex as we have known it, do know it, and continue to learn about it, worldwide. We have our donors to thank for the vibrancy of our collection. Our donors, including Dr. Carol Queen, Dr. Robert Lawrence and Good Vibrations, were dedicated to collecting materials that have long been shunned by traditional booksellers, libraries and museums. They have collected these materials at great personal risk and expense, because they believe they had intrinsic value to society. At the Center's library, these materials have finally found a home where they will properly cataloged, stored and preserved for future generations of researchers and the public.

A sample of our remarkable holdings:

1) graduate and undergraduate dissertations, representing original research;
2) pulp erotic fiction from the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's to today;
3) sexual education textbooks from the 1970's to today;
4) HIV education materials from the 80's to today; and
5) early 20th Century "marriage manuals" (sexual instruction guides).

We encourage you to browse our online catalog and discover what else the library has to offer. http://sexandculture.org/cgi-bin/libsearch.cgi

AVAILABILITY

We are unable to lend materials at this time. However, you may make an appointment to view library materials. In limited cases, we may be able to photocopy materials for you (in accordance with existing copyright restrictions). Please contact our library here.

Please click HERE to join our mailing list to receive updates about library hours and events.


FUTURE PLANS

First and foremost, we hope to open the physical space of the library, on a regular schedule, as soon as possible.

Other projects include 1) creating a database of web-only published articles and websites regarding sexuality; and 2) creating and maintaining a mold free and temperature regulated archive for art works, rare and fragile materials.


HOW YOU CAN HELP

We have done extraordinary things with very little. However, our job continues. Monetary donations will be put towards purchasing additional shelving as well as specialty archival and conservation materials (acid-free boxes, archival storage bags, archival appropriate labels) and, so that we can continue to accept donations, to pay for the storage space for those materials we receive but have yet to catalog.

Due to the aforementioned constraints, we are only accepting materials that fulfill the following criteria: dissertations and theses, personal papers of notable individuals in the community, original art, and rare (pre-1950) materials. If your donation fits that criteria, please contact mail@sexandculture.org (subject line: Donations) with a list and brief description of the items.

We are always seeking dedicated volunteers to assist with reviewing and cataloging the collection. Please contact us at carol@sexandculture.org (subject line: Volunteer in Library) if you are interested.


SEXUALITY NEWS WORLDWIDE

Click HERE for sexuality news from around the world!