The starting point for any inquiry at the Center is the information desk in the main lobby. It is here that appointments for print viewing are made, publications are sold, and questions are answered. The person at the information desk can refer users to the appropriate resource or staff member and can answer questions over the telephone. The Center maintains a circulating library of several thousand books that cover all aspects of photography. A valid student, staff, or faculty ID is all that is needed to borrow books.
Loan periods are the same as in the main library.
Books are checked out on the library's Sabio computer system at the circulation desk. In addition, the Center's librarians and library assistants are always on hand and are happy to assist in any way. The nucleus of the Center's collections is the archives of prominent twentieth century photographers such as Ansel Adams, Wynn Bullock, Harry Callahan, Aaron Siskind, W. Eugene Smith, Edward Weston, Garry Winogrand, and others. Most of these archives consist of extensive print collections, complete negative holdings, manuscripts, correspondence, memorabilia, and other materials relating to each individual's photographic career. Through these voluminous archives, the Center provides unparalleled primary research materials on the history of photography.