Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem is one of The New York Public Library’s renowned research libraries. A world-leading cultural institution devoted to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diasporic, and African experiences, the Schomburg stewards a collection of over 11 million items.  

This year, we're celebrating our 100th anniversary! Join us all year long for a wide array of special events, exhibitions, and more as we celebrate this milestone and continue the legacy of Arturo Schomburg. Learn more.

To learn about the Center's research divisions, schedule an appointment, or find out about other services, see our resources for researchers. 

If you are a postdoctoral scholar, independent researcher, or creative writer who is interested in studying at the Schomburg Center, consider applying to our Scholars-in-Residence Program. The deadline is Monday, December 1. 

The online application is open for the Schomburg-Mellon Humanities Summer Institute. Rising college seniors, who are eligible to apply, receive housing, meals, and a stipend during the four-week in-person program, hosted from June 1 to 26. The deadline to apply is February 6, 2026.

The Schomburg Shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:45 AM to 5:45 PM. The Shop sells books, clothing, jewelry, and more created by Black and Brown artists for all ages. The Shop will hold its Holiday Marketplace on Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6 from 11 AM to 5 PM. 

Guided group tours and class visits take place Monday–Friday from 10 AM through 3 PM. Visit our Schomburg Tours page. Confirmed reservations are required for all guided group tours and class visits. 

The Black Comic Book Festival will be part of our Centennial Festival in Spring 2026. More details will be available early next year. 

Please note: Due to new Library policy, e-bikes, e-scooters, and electronic transportation devices are not permitted inside any NYPL location. This does not apply to mobility aids.

Explore Puerto Rico’s history through our collections. Discover enslavement documents during the period when the island was under Spanish colonial rule. 

Plus, learn of the activism of our founder Arturo Schomburg, a Puerto Rican–born Black scholar and bibliophile, in helping to liberate the island from Spain and his advocacy for the equal treatment of Puerto Rican people by the U.S. federal government. Read more. 

Rap music has been and continues to be a platform for discussing the struggles of communities of color, advocating for equality, and exploring everyday life. Sometimes, inspiration for its lyrics has come from the works and legacies of people who have their archives at the Schomburg Center such as poet Maya Angelou, writer James Baldwin, activist Marcus Garvey, playwright Lorraine Hansberry, and activist Malcolm X. 

Discover some of the legendary names in hip-hop and the rap songs they inspired. Read more. 

See our schedule of upcoming public programs. Read more. 

Explore, It Happened in Harlem, our new list of recommended books for all ages. Learn more.   

Access the Centennial edition of Teaching with the Schomburg Center's Archives. Read more. 

100: A Century of Collections, Community, and Creativity
Curated by Schomburg Center Director Joy L. Bivins, 100: A Century of Collections, Community, and Creativity will surround visitors with the sights, sounds, and objects that have shaped this historic institution’s first century. Read more. 

To ensure the safety of the Schomburg Center's collection and provide a smooth experience for all guests we kindly ask that visitors leave large bags—including book bags, backpacks, and shoulder bags—at home or in a secure location before arriving. Any item that could pose a risk to the artwork/artifacts or other visitors may be prohibited at the discretion of our security team. 

Guarionex: 100 Years of Celebrating Black Archival Resistance
Created by students in our Junior Scholars Program and inspired by our founder Arturo Schomburg’s seminal essay “The Negro Digs Up His Past,” Guarionex explores Afro-Surrealism through the lens of historical recovery and cultural resilience. It's on view at the Countee Cullen Library at 104 West 136th Street. Read more. 

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem is one of the world’s leading cultural institutions devoted to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences. As a research division of The New York Public Library, the Schomburg Center features diverse programming and collections spanning over 11 million items that illuminate the richness of global Black history, arts, and culture.