LIBRARY AND RESEARCH CENTER
The library is the foremost repository of baseball information, in all formats, in the world.
VISIT THE GIAMATTI RESEARCH CENTER
The Baseball Hall of Fame can help you with your research. Welcome to the library of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The library is the foremost repository of baseball information, in all formats, in the world. Founded in 1939 along with the Hall itself, the library is a specialized research facility whose collections and services are available to all, subject to our policies for access and use. The library can be used in person (appointments preferred but drop-in visitors are accommodated as time allows), via email, telephone, or correspondence.
The Giamatti Research Center is located in the Hall of Fame Library. (Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)
SCHEDULING YOUR VISIT
Researchers are allowed access to the collection via the Giamatti Research Center. Appointments are preferred, but drop-in visitors may be accommodated as resources allow. Scheduling an appointment before visiting is highly encouraged. We prefer at least two weeks advance notice for anyone wishing to gain access to the collection. This will allow our staff to identify and pull material to meet your research needs and to notify you of closures or other factors that affect our service hours. Our hours of operation are Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Giamatti Research Center is closed on most holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. It is also closed the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. You can contact us via email at research@baseballhall.org, or by phone at 607-547-0330.
The Hall of Fame Library (Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)
PREPARING FOR YOUR VISIT
Researchers are encouraged to conduct a thorough review of our online library catalog prior to your visit. Our online library catalog offers the opportunity to search our library collection by author, title, subject, and keyword. Library Name: ABNER (no password required)
Hall of Fame Library storage vault. (Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)
Featured Story
Library research a hallmark of Museum’s mission
FINDING AIDS
Finding Aids have been created for many of our archival collections.
These documents contain detailed information about a specific collection of papers or records within an archive. They are used by researchers to determine whether information within a collection is relevant to their area of interest.
The content of a finding aid may differ depending on the type of material it is describing. Usually, a finding aid includes a description of the scope of the collection, biographical and historical information related to the collection, and restrictions on use of or access to the materials.
If you have scheduled an appointment with our research staff, please provide us with a list of your desired resources. We can pull as much material as possible and have it ready upon your arrival so you may maximize your research time. Our staff will also be able to inform you if materials are unavailable or if any restrictions on use exist.
1986 scouting report of Bo Jackson. (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library)
HOW CAN WE HELP YOU
If you can’t make it to Cooperstown for a research visit, library services include a variety of fee-based activities, including photocopying, scanning, and research assistance. Inquiries regarding these services should be directed to the Giamatti Research Center.
For photo research and reproduction requests, the Photo Archives' staff is available to help you. You can reach the Photo Archives by email (photoarchives@baseballhall.org) or mail. Photo Archives National Baseball Hall of Fame 25 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Giamatti Research Center (Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame Library)
ABOUT THE COLLECTION
The collections include but are not limited to:
- Archival Manuscript collections
- Archival Photographs
- Audiovisual material
- Books
- Periodicals
- Scrapbooks
- Statistical compendia and databases
- Team publications
We also have an extensive array of biographical clippings files, including those for:
- Every major league player to appear in at least one game since 1871
- Most Negro league and “women’s league” (AAGPBL) players
- Baseball officials, including owners, broadcasters, and umpires
Additional clippings files are subdivided by subjects, ranging from law to economics to politics, and we have other files concerning particular geographic locations. Original documents, photographs, and recordings are stored under state-of-the-art archival conditions designed to perpetuate the life of the collections. In accordance with contemporary standards on the handling of artifacts, our staff may impose certain restrictions on the use of material by researchers.
COOPERSTOWN SYMPOSIUM ON BASEBALL AND AMERICAN CULTURE
The Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture, co-sponsored by SUNY Oneonta and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, examines the impact of baseball on American culture from interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary perspectives.
Janet Marie Smith at the 2014 Symposium. (Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)
CONTRIBUTE TO THE COLLECTION
Donation of collections and individual items to the library are encouraged, and a Library Acquisitions Committee meets frequently to assess proposals. Inquiries regarding the donation of library-related material may be directed to the Giamatti Research Center.
CONTACT US
We accept research inquiries via the following methods:
Mail: National Baseball Hall of Fame, Giamatti Research Center, 25 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326
Email: research@baseballhall.org
Phone: 607-547-0330 or 607-547-0335
Inquiries are answered in the order they arrive. We try to respond as soon as possible, but please keep in mind that some inquiries may require more time to answer than others.