Humanities and Social Sciences Library > Collections & Reading Rooms > Art & Architecture Collection

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What are your hours? Can books and other materials be checked out from the Wallach Collection? Can you search for specific information on a work of art, an artist or a building? Are any of the Art & Architecture Collections available online? Can I access any of the Art Electronic Resources over the Internet? For those unable to visit the Library, can you supply the names of researchers for hire? Can copies be made from the Wallach Art & Architecture Collection's books, periodicals and microfilm? Does the Art & Architecture Collection have slides or picture collections organized by subject? What resources does the Library have to help identify or value an art object?

Question: What are your hours?  

The Art & Architecture Collection is open Thursday, Friday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m.- 6 p.m.; Sunday and Monday, closed. No appointments are necessary. A complete list of the hours and locations of Library units as well as upcoming holiday closings is available.

Question: Can books and other materials be checked out from the Wallach Collection?

The Art & Architecture Collection is part of the Research Libraries of The New York Public Library and all materials must be used on Library premises. Library cards granted by the New York Public Library Branch Libraries are not used in the Research Libraries. 

Question: Can you search for specific information on a work of art, an artist or a building?  

These searches are best pursued in the Library, where the Art & Architecture Collection staff will be pleased to assist the public. Please consult the Art Research:Beginning Strategies guide, which is designed to help a reader start researching an artist, an architectectural structure, an art object or an art periodical.  

Question: Is any of the Art & Architecture Collection available online?  

Although most of the books and periodical collections of Art & Architecture are now listed in the online catalog, CATNYP, you must come to the Library to read them.  

Question: Can I access any of the Electronic Resources online?  

Remote access to Selected Electronic Resources of the Research Libraries is not available at this time. The Art & Architecture Collection has a selection of electronic resources offered to the reader only in Room 300. These resources include Art Sales Index, ArtNet, Artfact, and assorted others. In addition, The Branch Libraries offer a selection of Electronic Resources which are available over the Internet.  

Question: For those unable to visit the Library, can you supply the names of researchers for hire?  

The Library has a fee-based service, NYPL Express, which can provide research services.  

Question: Can copies be made from the Wallach Art & Architecture Collection's books, periodicals and microfilm?  

Permission to copy materials from the Art & Architecture Collection must be given by the reference staff; they approve materials depending on the physical condition of the originals, and within fair use guidelines of the Copyright Act. Certain Art-related materials are restricted, such as: items more than 100 years old, items with fold-out pages, loose plates and mounted color plates; Art auction sales indexes, catalogue raisonnés or oeuvre catalogues, and certain ready reference materials. If the condition of the original materials is fragile, other copying methods are available: scanning, microfilming, or custom photography. Copies can be ordered onsite or remotely. A price list for custom orders is available.  

Question: Do we have slides or picture collections organized by subject?

The Art & Architecture Collection does not own a slide collection. However, the Picture Collection at Mid-Manhattan houses visual resources organized by subject. It is recommended that picture research by subject begin there.

Question: What resources does the Library have to help identify or value an art object?  

The Art & Architecture Collection has a strong collection in auction sales indexes, sales catalogues and price guides. Please consult the research guides How to Identity an Art Object and the Auction Sales Indexes: Books, Cd-Roms and Online Services.