The CDRS Corley Smith Library holds the most complete collection of material on Galapagos anywhere in the world.
Since its inauguration in 1964, the Charles Darwin Research Station has been building its library. Today the Station’s Corley Smith Library consists of:
Galapagos collection
The Galapagos collection includes:
- an excellent collection of Galapagos books (about 5,000)
- reprints (about 4,000)
- photographs and photographic slides
- movies
- videos
- sound recordings
- CDs and DVDs
General collection
The general collection is based on scientific and conservation topics, and includes:
- 15,000 books
- 6,000 articles
- a large collection of scientific journals
- rare ships' logs and original manuscripts.
Visitors
Over the years, use of the library has increased tremendously. In 1991, the library had scarcely 175 users per month; by 2001 this figure had peaked at an average of 400 with 500 visitors during some months. The collections have also grown, with many new books, reprints, and journals being added in both the Galapagos and the general sections. More space is urgently needed and funds are being sought for new library facilities and permanent staff. In the meantime, the humid climate and Galapagos environment is beginning to take its toll on the valuable collection, and in the short term CDF is also fundraising for preservation and environmental improvements for the collections.
Opening Hours
The library is normally open Monday through Friday, from 8am to 12 noon, and from 2pm to 5pm, subject to the availability of staff. Visitors who only have a limited time to spend in the library might like to contact biblioteca@fcdarwin.org.ec or telephone (593) 5 2526-146/147, extension 118, to make an appointment.
The library was named after Gerard Corley Smith in October 1997 because of his long-standing involvement with CDF.