The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts > Collections > The Billy Rose Theatre Collection

Using the Archive: Strategies for Research

Located in the heart of the Lincoln Center complex on Manhattan's Upper West Side, the Billy Rose Theatre Collection is housed on the third floor of the Performing Arts Library, along with the music, recorded sound. and dance research collections. Its Katharine Cornell-Guthrie McClintic Room and Lucille Lortel Room provide facilities for studying rare materials, and films and videotapes, respectively. Staff members, knowledgeable in all aspects of theatre history, are available to assist users in their research. Materials are retrieved from closed stacks upon receipt of a call slip. All materials are noncirculating and must be studied on the premises.

Locating Materials

Strategies for locating materials in the Collection depend on the type of materials users seek. The Collection can be broadly divided into two categories-book and nonbook material. Different approaches must be pursued to access each type of information.

Books and Periodicals

Easy access to books cataloged after 1972 can be obtained by entering author, title. or subject into the catalog. Terminals can be found at the Collection and all NYPL Research Libraries. For print materials cataloged before 1972, consult the free-standing card catalog labeled "Books. Scripts, Periodicals before 1972" or Parts I and 11 of the Dictionary Catalog of the Theatre and Drama Collections and its supplements, published by G K. Hall and Company. These large-bound volumes are available on the premises and in reference libraries throughout the country. The computer and card catalogs do not duplicate one another, so both must be consulted. To consult published plays, users should visit the drama section of the Performing Arts Library's Circulating Collection, or the General Research Division of The New York Public Library at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. The Billy Rose Theatre Collection does not house such literary works, unless a copy has been used as a promptbook during production.

Nonbook Items

To locate the Collection's extensive nonbook materials, consult the free-standing card catalog. Material can be found under title (play, film, or television program), personal name, company, or subject heading. Programs and reviews are arranged chronologically. Users may also consult the 30-volume Dictionary Catalog of the Theatre and Drama Collections, Part III: Non-Book Collection, published by G K. Hall and Company, for nonbook materials cataloged before 1974. Available onsite and at reference libraries throughout the country, this resource is particularly valuable to out of-town researchers.

Rare Archival Material

A separate card catalog, located in the Katharine Cornell-Guthrie McClintic Room, adjacent to the main reading room, lists rare and restricted items. This supplements the Dictionary Catalog of the Theatre and Drama Collections, Part 111: Non Book Collection which provides access to material cataloged before 1974.

Theatre on Film and Tape

The Lucille Lortel Room, adjacent to the main reading room, houses the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive. Material is listed under production title, author, theatre company, and dialogue participants. Advance appointments are required for viewing Users may telephone TOFT to ascertain tape availability. Please call (212) 870-1642.

E-Mail and Fax Service

The Theatre Collection accepts reference questions by E-mail and fax from persons located outside New York City. Please supply us with your full name and mailing address. The E-mail address is theatrediv@nypl.org. The fax number is (212) 870-1868.

Telephone Reference Service

The Collection's professional staff answer brief reference queries by phone. Questions range from birth and death dates to film cast information. Please call (212) 870-1639.

Letter Reference Service

Questions that cannot be answered quickly by phone may sometimes be handled by letter. Knowledgeable staff members can respond to mail queries from outside New York City and can forward photocopies of material, provided there are no copyright or other restrictions. If the query requires in-depth research, please contact NYPL Express. Lists of dealers in performing arts and movie memorabilia, and appraisers of theatre material, may also be obtained upon request.

Interlibrary Loan

In rare cases, books and periodicals may be obtained through interlibrary loan. However, the core of the Collection-nonbook materials and scripts-may not be borrowed.

Copy Service

Within copyright restrictions, a copy service on the premises duplicates materials for a fee. For conservation reasons, photocopying of rare and fragile materials is not permitted. Such items may sometimes be reproduced by other reprographic methods.

Requests for copy service or orders that require extensive research may be referred to NYPL Express. Requests by mail may be addressed to Copy Services, The New York Public Library, Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, New York, New York 10018. If the Collection has the material and it is unrestricted, a cost estimate will be supplied. The order will be initiated upon receipt of full payment.

VISA, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards may be used to pay for onsite or mail orders of $12 or more.

Publication of Materials

Permission to reproduce materials from the Collection for publication in books, magazines, documentaries, calendars, greeting cards, and advertisements, or for other use, including broadcasting. must be requested in writing. A fee may be charged. Users are responsible for obtaining reproduction and/or copyright clearances, which often do not rest with The New York Public Library.