AAC Library
The Henry S. Hall, Jr. American Alpine Club Library and Colorado Mountain Club Collection is an internationally known resource on alpinism, climbing, and mountain regions and cultures. Located in Golden, Colorado, the library serves members dispersed around the world. Our mission is to provide excellent service and efficient access to the collection to AAC and CMC members, the media, and others, wherever they may be.
- Request it! Books, DVDs, and Library Blog
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- Exhibits
- Online Climbing Resources
Location & Hours
New Library Hours!
With the opening of the Bradford Washburn Mountaineering Museum, the Library is expanding its open hours and will include Saturdays. Beginning February 18, the Library’s new hours will be:
Tuesday: 10:30AM to 7:00PM
Wednesday: 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Thursday: 10:30AM to 7:00PM
Friday: 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Saturday: 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sunday and Monday: Closed
For the Museum’s grand opening weekend on February 16 and 17, the Library will be open 10:00AM to 6:00PM both days.
710 Tenth Street, Suite 15 Golden CO 80401
Phone: 303.384.0112
Fax: 303.384.0113
email: library@americanalpineclub.org
Collections & Catalog
Click here to search the HENRY, the library catalog.
Established in 1916, the Henry S. Hall, Jr. American Alpine Club Library is one of the oldest alpine research facilities in the United States, and the largest outside of Europe. A circulating collection of nearly 20,000 books and videos devoted to mountaineering and rock climbing is available for members to borrow. Rare and non-circulating collections include the AAC archives, John Boyle Himalayan Library, manuscript collections, photographs, and rare books dating back to the 16th century. The Library has special strengths in American and foreign guidebooks, Mount Everest and the Himalayas, the Alps, and mountaineering history. The collection includes over 200 journals from all over the world, and over 500 videos and DVDs. The entire collection is cataloged online on HENRY, the library catalog.
Services
Borrowing from the Library Members of the American Alpine Club, the Colorado Mountain Club and Friends of the American Alpine Club Library have circulation privileges. You can borrow up to ten books and five videos for 28 days. For members outside the Golden area, library staff will send material you request. Shipping is free; borrowers pay return postage and insurance.
Research Do research on-site, or let libary staff will help you use the collection to research any question within the scope of mountaineering or climbing. Research fees may apply. Route information, mountaineering history, climbing narratives, guides to technique, maps, and films are all available in the library.
Send an email to library@americanalpineclub.org to ask a question or request material.The public is welcome to do research at the library, but do not have borrowing privileges.
Terms of Use
The library is a knowledge resource for the climbing community. The integrity of the collection requires the good will and commitment of borrowers to return material in a timely manner. Books and videos overdue by 28 days after the due date are assumed lost. The library reserves the right to assess lost material charges if items are not returned due to the limited print runs of many mountaineering books in the collection and other unique features of this library. If we are unable to collect the lost book or video charges for any reason, a member or Library Friend immediately loses library privileges and will also lose his/her membership.
Be a Friend
Friends of the Library recognize that the Library is an indispensable part of the climbing community, and is a very unique resource that must be nourished and supported. With your membership, you will receive a special quarterly newsletter listing new acquisitions and library news. Recent donations from Friends have allowed the Library to put its catalog online, have professional conservation work done on a rare 16th century natural history book, and purchase extensive maps of Kyrgyzstan and the Karakoram. Your donation will help us acquire material, care for the collection, and make these resources accessible to the mountaineering community. Download Friend Form
Donate to the AAC Library
The AAC Library appreciates donations of newer books and videos and archival items related to mountaineering, rock climbing and mountain culture and environment. Please contact the Library staff before sending any materials. Download Gift Form.
Volunteer at the AAC Library
The Library enjoys volunteer help from club members and library Friends. Recently members have helped to organize the map collection, process rare books and archives. Please contact us at:303/384-0112 or email library@americanalpineclub.org.