About the libraries

The Center for Inquiry Libraries (CFI Libraries) are located across from the North Campus of the University of Buffalo (www.buffalo.edu) in Amherst, NY. The Libraries are a program of the Center for Inquiry (www.centerforinquiry.net) and have been around as long as both CSICOP (The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal now known as the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry {CSI}) and the Council for Secular Humanism. The Libraries consisted of small collections of books and materials housed in different areas of the building. In 1995, construction of a formal library was completed. After several years, more space was added, taking warehouse space and converting it into both a periodical room and a rare book room.

Today, plans are in the works for the next phase. The Libraries have been given a large amount of space in the basement of our newly constructed addition, completed in 2005. Plans call for a new archive room, a new reference area, a new rare book room and a special collections area, all protected with a fire suppression system.

The Libraries are a member of OCLC, an online bibliographic utility used by thousands of libraries world-wide to share cataloging records and participate in interlibrary loan. CFI Libraries are also a member of NYLINK, a consortium that provides resources and collaboration amongst New York libraries.

The Libraries are also a member of WNYLRC (Western New York Library Resources Council) which shares resources and collaborates with libraries in the Western New York area. Tim Binga, Library Director, is a subject specialist on the paranormal for the Ask Us 24/7 program through WNYLRC and OCLC.