Louis B. Mayer Library
Founded in 1969, the Louis B. Mayer Library is dedicated to supporting AFI Conservatory studies by offering resources that complement the curriculum. Resources consist of book, film, manuscript and other collections focusing on the craft of filmmaking.
Contact
Email: Library@afi.com
Telephone: 323.856.7654
Access
Members of the general public should make appointments to view holdings. Holdings do not circulate to the general public.
The Library has regularly scheduled hours to serve the needs of AFI Conservatory Fellows, Alumni, Faculty and Staff. Please contact the Library for more information regarding hours for the AFI community.
Based on a reciprocal agreement between the University of Southern California (USC) and the American Film Institute, USC Film Students and AFI Conservatory Fellows are eligible to use the libraries at one each institution. Valid school ID must be presented for library privileges. Please contact the Mayer Library for more information.
Holdings
Books & Films: Over 10,000 books on various aspects of motion picture production and history, as well as selected titles on photography, theater, costume design, television and digital media. The Library also holds more than 2,500 DVDs. Over 1,500 projects by AFI Fellows and the Directing Workshop for Women (DWW) are available for viewing. Interested parties who wish to screen Fellow or DWW films for a class or film festival should contact AFI Distribution.
Periodicals: Over 30 subscriptions, including Variety, Hollywood Reporter and American Cinematographer.
Scripts: Over 5,000 unpublished scripts from contemporary and classic American films, including early drafts, final drafts and a select number of post production continuities. Scripts do not circulate and may not be mechanically reproduced in any manner.
Harold Lloyd Master Seminar Transcripts: Over 1,600 transcripts from seminars held at AFI from 1969 to the present. Transcripts consist of interviews with professionals from all aspects of the film and television industry. Seminar transcripts may only be consulted for research purposes and cannot be copied or quoted. Seminar transcripts do not circulate and may not be mechanically duplicated in any manner.
Special Collections: Archival collections documenting prominent motion picture industry figures, housed in the Library, are open to researchers by appointment only. Contact Library staff at library@afi.com or 323.856.7654 to make an appointment to view archival materials.