The Melissa Yandell Smith Library
The Melissa Yandell Smith Library supports A.C.T. artists (students, faculty, staff, and visiting artists) by providing access to the information they need for their work in the conservatory and theater.
A.C.T.’s library is named by generous support from the Melissa Yandell Smith Legacy Fund, which was established to honor longtime Conservatory Director Melissa Smith. The Melissa Yandell Smith Legacy Fund supports A.C.T. and provides additional support for the Conservatory students and program that were her life’s work.
The library collection contains approximately ten thousand titles, including playscripts, books, videos (VHS and DVD), language and music compact discs and tapes, music scores, and theater journals. These titles are available to all patrons to check out or use in the library.
Library Resources
Library Catalog
Search the collection or peruse the new acquisition lists. Additions to the Melissa Yandell Smith Library collection are made once a month and are grouped by books, collections, plays, musical scores, and audio materials.
Drama Online
A.C.T. library users have access to select collections in the Drama Online Library, including play scripts, videos, audio, and books. Please contact library@act-sf.org for login credentials.
Library Hours
The main Library collection is housed in the Geary Annex and is available to browse by appointment. A Branch of the Library is on the 8th Floor of 30 Grant and contains several hundred plays and music scores, as well as computers to search the entire collection. Items not available at the Branch may be requested from the main collection.
Main Collection accessible by appointment.
The current hours for the 30 Grant Branch are:
Monday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Tuesday 12 p.m.-7 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Thursday 12 p.m.-8 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
Phone number: 415-439-2453
Branch closes at 6pm when Studio classes are not in session.
Circulation Policies
Who Can Borrow
The Melissa Y. Smith Library is open to:
- All A.C.T. staff, students, and visiting artists
- Drama teachers in the San Francisco Unified School District
If you would like to request access for your organization, please email library@act-sf.org.
Loan Periods
Books, audiocassettes, scripts, journals, sound recordings: 2 weeks
Video recordings: 3 days
Renewals
Video recordings cannot be renewed. All other materials may be renewed twice, provided they are not overdue and no fines are pending. Renewals may be done in person, by phone at 415.439.2432, or by emailing library@act-sf.org.
Fees
We do not charge overdue fines. Fees for lost or damaged items may be charged, up to a maximum of $30.
Volunteer Opportunities
The A.C.T. performing arts library contains more than 8,500 plays, periodicals, and theater-related publications. Volunteer duties include checking out and shelving books, answering student inquiries, and other special projects. For more information, email library@act-sf.org.