The Los Angeles Museum Research Library is a special collection of the Los Angeles Maritime Museum. Books and archival materials donated to the Library were once owned by mariners, port pilots, sailors, ship modelers, authors and avid collectors of history and technology of the maritime industries. Books on a wide range of topics and selections from the Library’s collection of manuscripts, architectural drawings, maps and charts are available for viewing. We welcome your research topics and questions and are ready to help you locate material in the areas of your interest.
The Museum Research Library has been collecting books, pamphlets and periodicals since the Museum opened in 1980. Now the Library catalog and the collection itself are in the process of becoming established, and there are over 5000 items on the shelves. A broad range of topics in maritime history is represented in our catalog. We look forward to assisting you with research requests.
Materials in the Library include:
- Histories
- Specifications
- Technical manuals and handbooks
- Maps and charts
- Annual reports
- Pamphlets
- Periodicals and historical news clippings
- Archives and manuscripts collections for the study of the history of
San Pedro Bay and its inhabitants
Subjects or topics in the Library's collection of books, pamphlets and periodicals include:
- battleships
- deep diving
- fishing and fisheries
- histories of sailing and steam powered vessels
- naval architecture and engineering
- navy histories
- marine art
- marine engineering
- merchant marines
- navigation
- ports and harbors of the west coast
- seamanship
- shipping
- shipbuilding
- ship model building
- ship registry
- underwater archaeology
Visiting the Library
The Library serves the staff of the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, the San Pedro Community, museum members,
maritime history scholars and members of the public who share an interest in maritime history.
You must make an appointment to visit the Library. An appointment will assure you adequate space in which to view materials, take notes, etc. It will also assure you that materials you request will be reserved for you prior to your visit.
• A researcher must obtain an appointment to view archival
material or manuscripts collections. Please call the Library for more information
• All materials in this collection are non-circulating and must be used in the Reading Room only
• Certain collections may be restricted from viewing, use, or reproduction at the
discretion of the Archivist—Librarian or Museum Director
• Digital scanners and cameras are not allowed to be used by researchers
• Personal belongings must be stored in a locker during your visit
• Pencils only, no pens or markers, etc., allowed
• No food or drink
• No cell phone use in the Library
Library appointments are made by sending a request to the Library
How to make an appointment
Requests for appointments must be made in advance! Please
download a Library Request form*, fill it out and fax it or mail it to the Library. The
information you provide on the form will help us locate and prepare material for your visit. You may also call the Library
at 310-548-7618, extension 215.
* The Library Request form is in the Adobe Acrobat Format.
Download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader
The Los Angeles Maritime Museum is a facility of the City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks,
operating with the financial assistance of the Los Angeles Maritime Museum Foundation.
©2008 SanPedro.com -
Unless otherwise indicated, all images are the property of
the Los Angeles Maritime Museum. 
