Temporary Closure
To protect the health and safety of our visitors and staff as the COVID-19 situation evolves, the Theosophical Society in America and HS Olcott Library remains closed to the public. We will update this page when we begin allowing appointments for library users who want to check out materials or browse the collection. In addition, all hold requests are currently fulfilled by mail, whether you live locally or throughout the nation. Please contact us at library@theosophical.org for more information.
Library
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 about 25,000 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 Information
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 (local borrower), $40 (mail borrower), or $150 (life member of the library).
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.
* 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.