Margaret Herrick Library: Film Research Guide

What it is used for in research

The Margaret Herrick Library, established in 1928 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and housed at the Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture Study in Beverly Hills, California, is a world-renowned non-circulating reference and research repository dedicated to the history, art, and craft of motion pictures. In academic cinema studies, media history, and museum studies and archival science, researchers use the library’s collections to examine primary historical evidence of film production, censorship, distribution, and cultural reception.

The library’s online search portal (the Academy Collection catalog at academycollection.org) provides bibliographic and archival discovery across tens of millions of items, including:

Production Records and Special Collections: Archival manuscript collections, studio production files (including Paramount Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer files), Production Code Administration (PCA) censorship case files, and personal papers of directors, screenwriters, costume designers, and studio executives.
Graphic Arts and Photography: Production stills, studio portraits, behind-the-scenes photographs, original lobby cards, movie posters, and costume and production design sketches.
Core Scripts and Ephemera: Over 100,000 published and unpublished screenplays, dialogue continuities, and press clipping files covering individual films and film personalities.
Periodicals and Reference Texts: Film journals, trade magazines (such as The Film Daily, Variety, and Motion Picture World), and the internal Index to Periodical Articles.

When conducting historical media research or qualitative content analysis on cinematic artifacts, researchers query the catalog to identify archival call numbers, inspect digital previews, compile citations, and submit formal viewing requests for in-person consultation or digital reproduction.

Install or access (official source only)

The Margaret Herrick Library catalog operates as a public, web-based search portal that requires no local client installation. Access the catalog directly through the official Academy Collection platform:

Official Web Portal: https://www.academycollection.org (the unified search platform maintained by AMPAS for the Margaret Herrick Library and the Academy Film Archive). Note that legacy URLs (such as digitalcollections.oscars.org and collections.oscars.org) redirect automatically to this centralized platform.
Official Institution Information: https://www.oscars.org (overview of reading room hours, research policies, and reference staff contacts).
System Requirements: Standard web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, or Samsung Mobile; current version or previous two releases) with JavaScript enabled. Pop-up or ad blockers should be disabled for full search and request cart functionality.
Patron Account Registration: Searching the database and viewing digital previews is open to the public without authentication. To save records to custom lists, place reproduction orders, or schedule on-site reading room appointments, users create a free patron account by clicking Sign in in the upper right header, selecting the Create account link, and registering an email address.

Step-by-step task

The following five-step walkthrough demonstrates how to execute a targeted archival research workflow: searching the Margaret Herrick Library catalog, filtering by published library holdings, saving records to a research list, and submitting an access request.

Access the Academy Collection Search portal and toggle Advanced Search:
Navigate to https://www.academycollection.org. The central search bar defaults to a Free Text search (“Academy Collection Search”), which applies a “contains all” algorithm across all collections. To perform structured multi-field querying, click the Advanced Search button located at the bottom right of the search bar.
Configure search fields, Boolean operators, and record sets:
In the Advanced Search interface, configure the target parameters:
- Under Record sets, restrict the search scope from the default combined repository to Library (to focus specifically on Margaret Herrick Library published holdings, scripts, and archival papers rather than Academy Film Archive moving-image prints).
- Select the primary search field from the dropdown menu (such as Title, Name, Collection, or Year).
- Choose the matching rule: select Contains for partial keyword matching or Equals for strict character-for-character matching. To search exact phrases in a Contains field, wrap the phrase in double quotation marks (for example, "The Godfather").
- Click Add field to introduce secondary parameters joined by AND or OR Boolean logic (for example, Title Contains "Sunset Boulevard" AND Name Contains "Billy Wilder").
- Click the Search button to execute the query.
Filter and refine search results:
The search results page displays matching records with an active record count and view toggle (grid view or list view at top right). To refine the results:
- Click the Filter button located to the lower left of the result count to open the “Refine your search” facet panel.
- Select checkboxes corresponding to relevant facets, such as Material Type (such as Scripts, Photographs, Graphic Arts, or Clippings) or Date Range.
- Observe the dynamic result count update on the View Results button, then click it to apply the filters (or click Reset filter to clear all selections).
Save records to a custom research list under My Pages:
Organizing findings into dedicated lists simplifies tracking across multiple research sessions:
- Click on an individual record from the results list to open its detailed metadata display.
- Click the Add to List button. In the pop-up dialog, click Create new List, enter a descriptive title for your research project (such as Wilder-Paramount-1950), and save.
- For subsequent records, click Add to List and choose your existing list from the dropdown menu.
- To review your compiled items, click My pages in the top header and select My lists and reviews. Here you can edit notes, print bibliographies, or export metadata.
Stage items and submit a Request for Access form:
When you are ready to request on-site consultation at the Fairbanks Center or order digital scans:
- Open your saved list under My lists and reviews, click the More actions dropdown menu at top right, and select Add Items to Cart (Request access). (Alternatively, click Request Access directly on an individual detailed holding record).
- Note on Record Types: High-level umbrella records (such as “Works”, “Persons and Institutions”, and “Collection” level overviews) cannot be added to a request cart; you must add the specific underlying physical holding records (such as folder-level production files or script drafts).
- Click the Shopping cart icon in the upper right header to review staged items.
- Select your request type: Library Reading Room Appointment, Duplication Order (high-resolution digital reproductions), or Reference Inquiry.
- Complete all required fields (intended visit date, contact information, project summary) and submit. Track the status of your submission under My pages → Overview → My Requests.

Output and how to read it

Understanding the structure of catalog outputs in the Academy Collection portal enables film researchers to interpret both physical archival availability and digital preview assets efficiently.

Catalog records in the system are organized into two distinct record tiers:

Holding Records: These represent specific physical or digital assets preserved in the library. A holding record contains granular descriptive metadata, including the formal title, creator or author, physical format (such as typescript, carbon copy, silver gelatin print), call number or box/folder location, and copyright status. If an item has been digitized for public study, an interactive digital preview viewer appears directly within the record.
Umbrella Records: High-level conceptual records that aggregate related materials across the Academy’s departments. These include “Works” (documenting an entire motion picture title and linking to all associated scripts, stills, and moving images), “Persons and Institutions” (authoritative biographical and corporate entities), and “Collections” (multi-box archival manuscript collections such as the Alfred Hitchcock papers). Umbrella records provide structural navigation across related assets but cannot be placed into a reading-room request cart directly.

When compiling qualitative research data from search results, inspect the metadata badges. The Library badge denotes published texts, periodicals, and core reference files held in the Margaret Herrick Library reading room. Items labeled Special Collections require advance retrieval requests and consultation in the Special Collections reading room at the Fairbanks Center.

Troubleshooting

Researchers encountering issues while querying the catalog or preparing requests should consult the following diagnostic solutions:

Multi-word query returns irrelevant or broad results:
Cause: The Free Text search defaults to a “contains all” Boolean AND condition without word adjacency, meaning terms can appear in any order across multiple fields.
Resolution: Enclose multi-word film titles or proper names in quotation marks (for example, "Little Big Man" rather than little big man) to force an exact phrase match. Alternatively, switch to Advanced Search and set the Title field rule to Contains with quotes or Equals for an exact match.
“Add Items to Cart” button is disabled or missing:
Cause: You are viewing an umbrella record (“Work”, “Persons and Institutions”, or “Collection” record), or you are not signed into a registered patron account.
Resolution: Confirm that you are signed in via the upper right header. Scroll down the umbrella record to the Associated Holdings section and click into an individual physical holding record (such as a script draft, photograph, or folder). Specific holding records provide active Request Access buttons.
Filter selections do not appear to update the results list:
Cause: In the “Refine your search” facet pop-up, checking boxes queues the filter criteria but does not execute the search until confirmed.
Resolution: After ticking the desired checkboxes, wait for the facet tally to calculate, then click the blue View Results button at the bottom of the filter dialog. To clear stalled filters, click Reset filter.
Legacy digital collection bookmark redirects to home page:
Cause: The Margaret Herrick Library completed a system migration retiring the standalone MHL Digital Collections portal in favor of the unified Academy Collection database.
Resolution: Re-search the film title or collection name in the main search bar at academycollection.org. Digits and collection names have been re-indexed. If a previously accessible digital file is missing, contact the reference desk directly at [email protected].

Free alternatives (table)

While the Margaret Herrick Library offers unmatched depth in Hollywood production records, censorship files, and Academy history, scholars studying international cinema and regional media history often consult other open-access archival catalogs. The table below compares free alternative research portals in cinema and media studies.

Research Portal / Archive	Governing Organization	Primary Collection Scope	Online Search and Digital Previews	Access and Request Mechanism
Margaret Herrick Library (Academy Collection)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS)	Hollywood studio production files, PCA censorship records, scripts, posters, photographs	Free public catalog search with curated high-resolution digital previews	In-person reading room appointments and reproduction orders via online cart
FIAF International Index to Film Periodicals	International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF)	Global film academic journals, trade press indexing, historical film festival publications	Treasures from the Film Archives database searchable online for member holdings	Open bibliographic citations; physical access governed by individual national archives
Library of Congress Moving Image Research Center	Library of Congress (National Audio-Visual Conservation Center)	American film copyright deposits, paper print collection, silent-era films, government films	Loc.gov catalog search; thousands of public-domain films streamed openly	Free public access in Madison Building reading room (Washington, D.C.); online patron requests
UCLA Film and Television Archive Catalog	University of California, Los Angeles Library	Studio collections (Paramount, 20th Century Fox newsreels), television broadcasts, independent film	UC Library Search (Primo) and dedicated archive collection finding aids	On-site viewing at UCLA Powell Library media facilities; advance booking required
BFI Reuben Library and Collections Search	British Film Institute (BFI)	British and international cinema history, television production, British film periodicals	BFI Collections Search portal covering bibliographic holdings and archival papers	Free public admission at BFI Southbank (London); non-circulating reference access

FAQ

How do I search for materials at the Margaret Herrick Library?

Search holdings online using the Academy Collection portal at academycollection.org. Researchers can use the Free Text search bar for broad keyword queries or toggle Advanced Search to query specific fields such as Title, Name, Collection, or Year using Boolean operators (AND, OR) and field rules (Contains, Equals).

Do I need an appointment to visit the Margaret Herrick Library?

General reference materials such as published books, periodicals, and general clipping files in the Core Collection are available to registered patrons during regular reading room hours. However, accessing Special Collections (including studio production files, personal manuscript collections, rare graphic arts, and fragile photographs) requires an advance appointment scheduled through the catalog’s Request access process.

What happened to the Margaret Herrick Library Digital Collections website?

The Academy migrated the legacy MHL Digital Collections system into the unified Academy Collection platform (academycollection.org). All holdings, descriptive records, and digital previews previously accessible via the legacy site have been transferred to this centralized database, and legacy web addresses redirect to the new portal.

Can researchers order high-resolution image reproductions from the library?

Yes. Registered patrons can order high-resolution digital scans directly through the Academy Collection catalog. By clicking Request Access on an individual holding record or selecting Add Items to Cart from a saved list, researchers can specify reproduction requirements in the online request form.

What is the difference between an Umbrella record and a Holding record in the catalog?

In the Academy Collection catalog, an Umbrella record (categorized under “Works”, “Persons and Institutions”, or “Collections”) provides a high-level conceptual summary of a film, individual, or entire archival manuscript collection and links to all associated materials. A Holding record describes a specific physical or digitized asset (such as an individual screenplay draft, photograph, or folder). Only Holding records can be added to an access request cart.

Sources (official docs)

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. How to Search Academy Collection. Academy Collection Documentation. Published July 31, 2025. Read November 9, 2026. https://www.academycollection.org/-/how-to-search-academy-collection
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Login and Requests. Academy Collection Patron Documentation. Published April 12, 2026. Read November 9, 2026. https://www.academycollection.org/-/login-and-requests
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Academy Collection Frequently Asked Questions. Read November 9, 2026. https://www.academycollection.org/faq
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Margaret Herrick Library Overview and Access Policies. Oscars.org. Read November 9, 2026. https://www.oscars.org
International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF). Treasures from the Film Archives and Periodicals Indexing. Read November 9, 2026. https://www.fiafnet.org/
Library of Congress. Moving Image Research Center: Film and Television Research Guidelines. Read November 9, 2026. https://www.loc.gov/rr/mopic/