Collections at the American Antiquarian Society are described in a variety of databases and specialized catalogs. If you don't find what you are looking for please email our staff at reference [at] mwa.org (reference[at]mwa[dot]org).
If you would simply like to browse a sample of collections digitally, visit featured collections.
Library Catalog
The library catalog is called the General Catalog. It provides the most comprehensive search of AAS collections and is best place to start a search.
What is in the General Catalog?
All cataloged books, pamphlets, manuscripts, newspapers, periodicals, prints, photographs, ephemera, and broadsides are discoverable in the General Catalog.
Many records will have links to digital surrogates. Some digital surrogates can be viewed freely. Others, including subscription digital collections, can only be accessed from the AAS reading room.
What is not in the General Catalog?
Uncataloged and unprocessed collections not in the General Catalog include approximately 10-15% of AAS's books and pamphlets, as well as parts of the manuscripts, newspapers, periodicals, and graphic arts collections. Finding aids and inventories have been created to help researchers access some uncataloged materials.
How do I search the General Catalog?
A series of brief tutorial videos is available in the searching the American Antiquarian Society Catalog playlist on YouTube.
Digitized Materials
AAS does not have a single database containing all digitized content. See Obtaining Digital Images to learn about requesting new photography, ordering high-resolution images, and rights and reproductions.
Finding Digitized Materials in the General Catalog
Scanned images of materials are served to users via the Society's digital image repository, known as GIGI.
To find records in the General Catalog that have a digital surrogate available, add the term "openlink" to the end of your search. Adding that term to your search will return catalog records which have a link to a digital surrogate.
Items with a digital surrogate will have a "Scanned image[s] available here" link on the right side of the catalog record display. Click the link to view or download available scans of the item.
Items with a padlock marked link are available only on the AAS campus.
A brief tutorial video Finding Digital Surrogates explains this process.
Digital Resources
Digital collections, online exhibitions, and research tools contain digitized images of materials from AAS collections.
- Subscription digital collections can be accessed onsite at AAS and may include materials from other institutions.
- Browse the list of available Digital Resources
- See How to Use Digital Resources for more information.
Specialized Catalogs and Directories
Clarence (Newspapers and Periodicals)
Clarence is a database containing information about the newspapers and periodicals collection.
Catalogue of American Engravings (CAEP)
The Catalogue of American Engravings describes engravings issued as separate publications or as illustrations in books and periodicals from the early eighteenth century through 1820.
19th Century American Children's Book Trade Directory
The 19th Century American Children's Book Trade Directory contains 2,600 entries documenting the activity of individuals and firms involved in the manufacture and distribution of children's books in the United States between 1821 and 1876.
For additional databases see specialized catalogs and directories.