40 Lincoln Center Plaza (entrance at 111 Amsterdam between 64th and 65th)
New York, NY 10023
917-275-6975
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10:30 AM–6 PM
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Day Hours
Monday 10:30 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 10:30 AM–6 PM
Wednesday 10:30 AM–6 PM
Thursday 10:30 AM–8 PM
Friday 10:30 AM–6 PM
Saturday 10:30 AM–6 PM
Sunday CLOSED
Division hours may vary.
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Welcome to the Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center

An exterior shot of the Library for the Performing Arts

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, one of the Library’s renowned research libraries, houses one of the world's most extensive research collections in the fields of theatre, film, dance, music, and recorded sound, as well as a wide array of circulating and reference materials.

The Library is open for unlimited browsing of our circulating collections and on-site research services either for walk-in service or by appointment.

In order to request access to special collections material, users will need to create a Special Collections account. Although it's not required, we encourage patrons to make an appointment with the relevant division by clicking the Research tab above.

Find the Division and Make an Appointment

Lou Reed: Caught Between the Twisted Stars

Image of Lou Reed performing at a concert

Exhibition on Display Through March 2023

Join the Library for the Performing Arts for Lou Reed: Caught Between the Twisted Stars, the first large-scale exhibition featuring previously unseen and unheard work from Reed’s incredible archive—part of the Library's collections since 2017. The exhibition is curated by Don Fleming and Jason Stern.

Learn more about the exhibition and how to attend.

‘You Don’t Become Lou Reed Overnight.’ A New Exhibition Proves It.
— The New York Times

 

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About The Library for the Performing Arts

Interior of LPA.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts houses one of the world's most extensive combinations of circulating, reference, and rare archival collections in its field. These materials are available free of charge, along with a wide range of special programs, including exhibitions, seminars, and performances. An essential resource for everyone with an interest in the arts—whether professional or amateur—the Library is known particularly for its prodigious collections of non-book materials such as historic recordings, videotapes, autograph manuscripts, correspondence, sheet music, stage designs, press clippings, programs, posters and photographs. Discover more about The Library for the Performing Arts circulating, reference, and rare archival collections.

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