Humanities and Social Sciences Library > Collections & Reading Rooms > The Rare Books Division

Access to the Division

Reading Room Rules & Regulations

  1. The Brooke Russell Astor Reading Room is for use by readers who are using materials from the Rare Books Division, Manuscripts and Archives Division, and Arents Collection.
  2. A card of admission is required to use the Rare Books Division. Apply for this card in the Office of Special Collections, Room 316. Each applicant must show traceable identification and supply the name and address of a non-relative reference who can verify the information on the application. The card of admission must be obtained in person and it is not transferable. The card is granted for a period not to exceed six months.

    A card of admission does not guarantee access to all materials.

  3. Readers are required to store all personal belongings in the Library’s coatroom.  To protect Rare Books Division materials, the following items are not permitted in the Brooke Russell Astor Reading Room:

Coats and Outerwear
Bags and Briefcases
Purses
Laptop Computer Cases

Food and Beverages
Hats
Umbrellas
Newspapers

Cameras
Electronic Scanners
Pens and Highlighters
Folders of any kind

Readers may be asked to check in the Library’s coatroom any items deemed inappropriate by the Curator of Rare Books.

  1. Books or other reading materials may not be brought into the reading room, except with the prior consent of the Curator or ranking assistant of Rare Books.
  2. All handwritten notes must be made in pencil.  The use of personal computers is permitted; laptop computer cases are not permitted in the reading room, however.
  3. All photoduplication is carried out by New York Public Library staff.  Photography in the Brooke Russell Astor Reading Room is not permitted.  For information about obtaining photographic reproductions of items from the collection, please consult with the Library’s Office of Photographic Services & Permissions.
  4. Listen carefully to staff instructions for the handling of Rare Books materials.  In all cases, Rare Books staff will determine the manner in which materials are set up for viewing.  Do not lean on or place anything on top of Library materials. Tracing or rubbing of materials is not permitted.  Materials may not be transferred to another reader.

Requesting Materials

Requests for rare books materials are made in person in the Brooke Russell Astor Reading Room.

All call slips must be legibly printed by hand.  Readers must indicate their home street address on each call slip; P.O. Box numbers will not be accepted in lieu of a street address.

Materials are paged for delivery once daily, between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.  Up to six items may be requested per paging period. Materials requested after 2:00 p.m. will be delivered the following day. Upon request, materials may be held on reserve for a limited time.

Readers are encouraged to e-mail or call 24 hours in advance to request materials.

Requests for materials from the Stuart and Menu Collections require a minimum of 24 hour advance notice.

For additional information on requesting materials from the Menu Collection, please see the Library’s Menu Collection Research Guide.