The Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library is a unique library bringing together the religious, philosophical, and spiritual traditions of the East and West, emphasizing the Ancient Wisdom tradition—Theosophy.

Founded in 1926 and named after Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, one of the founders of the Theosophical Society, the library is located at the Society's national center in Wheaton, Illinois.

The library’s collection of more than 20,000 titles of books, periodicals, video, and audio recordings is one of the finest in the country. Some of the many subjects included are Theosophy, Eastern philosophy and religions, comparative religion, esoteric Christianity, mysticism, mythology, psychology, parapsychology, meditation, healing, death and dying, astrology, and yoga.

Borrowing Privileges

Membership in the Theosophical Society in America includes library borrowing privileges (in person or by mail); however, members must register for this benefit with the library. Nonmembers may register for library privileges for an annual fee of $30.00 (local borrower) or $40.00 (mail borrower). Borrowing privileges are limited to persons residing in the United States. Click here for a User Registration Form, which can be printed out. It must be filled out, signed, and sent to the library by postal mail or fax. Instructions are included on the form.

Loan Policy

Type of Material	Loan Limit	Loan Period		Late fee per day	Maximum Late fee	Loss or Damage Processing fee
		Local	Mail
Book	Up to 5 titles	4 weeks	6 weeks	10¢ per item	$10.00	$10.00
Audio Recording	Up to 4 titles	4 weeks	6 weeks	10¢ per item	$10.00	$10.00
Video Recording (No Renewals)	Up to 2 titles with rental fee	2 weeks $2.00	4 weeks $3.00	50¢ per item	$10.00	$10.00

 

* To ensure the timely availability of material to all our patrons, late fees are assessed on all past due materials.

** A processing fee of $10 per title will be charged for any materials lost or damaged while in the patron’s possession. Additionally, the patron is responsible for the item’s replacement cost, plus applicable overdue fines.

Renewal Process

• Video recodings may not be renewed. Registered users of the library may renew other materials directly through the Online Library Catalog when signed into their account.

Borrowing by Mail

• ELIGIBILITY: The Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library can lend materials only to persons residing within the United States.
• REQUEST FORMS: Requests to borrow materials by mail should be made in writing. A preprinted order form is available upon request. Registered users of the library may place borrowing requests directly from the Online Library Catalog, or with our online Form for Borrowing Library Materials.
• DUE DATE: The due date on material borrowed by mail allows two additional weeks for travel time. Materials must be returned to reach the library by the due date specified.
• SHIPPING: Borrowed materials may be returned in the same packaging in which they were received, by using the return labels provided. All materials may be shipped Library Mail, ("Special Standard") except for videos, which must be sent by UPS or insured mail. Borrowers pay the return postage.

Printed Catalog

The following printed catalog is available for purchase (prepaid or with credit card) and may be ordered on the User Registration Form, or by contacting the library in writing or by phone.

• Annotated Book List 1990 ($10.00 prepaid)
  • Lists approximately 2,400 book titles in 19 subject categories
  • 241 pages (soft cover)

Online Catalog

The Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library is the center of an online catalog shared with other Theosophical libraries, currently the library of the New York Theosophical Society and the Krotona Library (Ojai, California).To go to the Theosophical Society Libraries Online Catalog.

Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library The Theosophical Society in America 1926 N. Main Street, Wheaton IL 60187 (630) 668-1571, ext. 304 library@theosophical.org LIBRARY HOURS (Central Time) Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 - noon, 1:00 - 5:00 Evenings Tuesday through Thursday 6:30 - 8:00 (September - May) Sunday and Monday Closed DIRECTIONS

Henry S. Olcott: A One-Hundred Year Legacy
Contribute to our Wish List

How can we improve your library?

Online Catalog | User Registration Form | Form for Borrowing Library Materials |
Browse by Subject: Olcott | New Titles | Full-Text Resources | Periodicals |
|Media Library | Library Programs | Rare & Used Book Sale | Reading Lists |

Affiliated Libraries | Emily Sellon | Krotona | Olcott | Seattle