First Floor, Room 117
Phone: (212) 930-0587
Fully accessible to wheelchairs
| Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
10:00 AM -
5:45 PM |
10:00 AM -
7:30 PM |
10:00 AM -
7:30 PM |
10:00 AM -
5:45 PM |
10:00 AM -
5:45 PM |
10:00 AM -
5:45 PM |
CLOSED
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We encourage you to plan your visit. E-mail mapref@nypl.org with your research questions or item information from our catalog. Please note that portions of our collection are not yet searchable though the catalog and e-mailing us in advance will help you make the most of your visit.
Requests for material cannot be accepted beginning 15 minutes prior to closing.
The Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division is one of the world’s premier map collections in terms of size, scope, unique holdings, diversity and intensity of use. Established in 1898, our holdings include more than 433,000 sheet maps and 20,000 books and atlases published between the 15th and 21st centuries. The collections range from the global to the local scale and support the learning and research needs of a wide variety of users.
In-Person Research
Researchers can access the collections in our splendid reading room (renovated in 2005) by browsing our open shelf reference books, our dictionary catalog or with the guidance of our staff. Most maps and atlases are stored on closed shelves and are typically brought to the reader in less than an hour. A valid library card is required. (Apply for a card) Laptops are welcome as our reading room is Wi-Fi enabled and equipped with ample power outlets. There are also six computer workstations with access to Antique Map Price Guide, Digital Sanborn Maps:1867-1970, Google Earth, and Oasis NYC: community maps of New York City. Reproductions are made at the discretion of the staff and include photocopying and scanning (b &w and oversize color).
Online Research
Search our collections (acquired after 1971) using NYPL's online catalog, look at maps in the Digital Gallery , browse our NYC Land Atlases , read our New York City Maps research guide, or help us georeference our antiquarian map collection using the NYPL Map Rectifier. Find out more about map collections, classes, programs and activities through our blog posts, tweets, Pinterest boards, Tumblr and Facebook page. Or simply learn "How to Read a Map".
"Best of the Web"
Can’t find what you are looking for on our website or at nypl.org? Browse our "Best of the Web" list where you’ll find links to map libraries, cartographic institutions and government agencies from around the globe. There are links to fire insurance maps from dozens of US states as well as a few cities and towns in Canada and Mexico. We’ve collected links to online place name gazetteers as well as scores of historic and contemporary map galleries. Our Miscellaneous Maps page will direct you to nautical charts, geology maps, topographic maps, demographic maps and a selection of cartographic history websites. The Thematic Maps page has a list of websites where you can find maps that focus on climate, energy, population, land use / geography, health, communication and politics. Visit the GIS page to see a list of websites where you can download geospatial data and use GIS mapping software for free. If your research is New York City focused than you’ll definitely want to have a look at our NYC page where we’ve included links to several useful websites including a digitized version of Phelp Stokes’ Iconography of Manhattan Island 1498-1909, aerial imagery from NYS Orthos Online, and Gilbert Tauber’s delightful Old Street Names of New York.
Click on the subject headings below to see more "Best of the Web"
Fire Insurance Maps | Gazetteers | GIS | Map Galleries | Miscellaneous Maps | NYC | Thematic Maps
[ Block&Lot: Architecture Bibliography ; Online Resources ; Sanborn Legend ]
