In operation since 1999, the Vine Deloria, Jr. Library of the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) is the 20th library of the Smithsonian Libraries and is located in Suitland, MD in the Cultural Resources Center (CRC) where it shares research and collection space with the NMAI Archives.
The Deloria Library research materials include over 40,000 volumes of books, periodicals, microfilm, and media in the main collection; a small, but growing rare book section; Native American Artist Files; and, ephemera. The Library collections cover the broad range of topics and disciplines related to the histories, cultures, arts, and contemporary issues of Native American and Indigenous peoples in the Western Hemisphere. Strengths in the collection are tribal histories, biographies, traditional and modern art, language and literature – including children and young adult materials, Native knowledge, and collections care. Because Native Studies is interdisciplinary by nature, there is overlap of coverage in other Smithsonian libraries, so research could include materials from other libraries.
The CRC is one of three NMAI facilities and serves as the vital resource hub to support the proper care, storage, use, and research of the NMAI collections; and, is a place to share expertise and advance the study and presentation of the history and culture of Native peoples. The other NMAI facilities are the George Gustave Heye Center (GGHC) in New York City, and the National Museum of the American Indian Museum on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The Deloria Library provides library research, reference, and outreach service to staff in all three locations; and, participates in NMAI initiatives, programs, and events.
