
New York, NY 10037
Day | Hours |
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Monday | 10 AM–6 PM |
Tuesday | 10 AM–6 PM |
Wednesday | 10 AM–6 PM |
Thursday | 10 AM–6 PM |
Friday | 12 PM–6 PM |
Saturday | 10 AM–6 PM |
Sunday | CLOSED |
Visit the Schomburg Center

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, one of The New York Public Library’s renowned research libraries, is a world-leading cultural institution devoted to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences.
Schomburg Center. Where Every Month is Black History Month!
To learn about the Center’s research divisions, schedule an appointment, or find out about other services, see our resources for researchers. Please note: Division hours may vary.
Don't miss our exhibitions Boundless: 10 Years of Seeding Black Comic Futures and Been Seen. They run through Tuesday, February 28, and Saturday, March 11, respectively. Boundless and Been Seen are available to view 10 AM—5:45 PM, Monday to Saturday.
The Schomburg Shop sells clothing, jewelry, books, and more for all ages. Items are created by Black and Brown artists. The Shop is open Tuesday to Saturday 11 AM—6 PM.
Though there are no guided tours at this time, we are working diligently to restore this key service to visitors in spring 2023. Please continue to check this page and the Schomburg Tours page for updates and more information.
Masks are strongly recommended in the Schomburg Center and all NYPL locations.
Black History Month | The Exonerated Five: An In-Depth Look at Their Journey to Justice

Photos: Lisa Herndon
Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana Jr., and Korey Wise were all teenagers when they were wrongfully convicted and served time for the 1989 brutal rape of a white female jogger inside New York City’s Central Park.
The Center’s materials offer an in-depth look at their legal case and their journey to clear their names. The collection includes a historic conversation with Salaam, Richardson, and Santana, Jr., who are known today as part of the Exonerated Five, a few hours after the unveiling of the Gate of the Exonerated at Central Park on December 19, 2022. The day also marked the 20th anniversary of all five being cleared of all charges. Learn more.
Newly Digitized! | Explore the Center's Oldest Photos Online

Digital Image 58504647
The Center's Photographs and Prints Division added 17 daguerreotype portraits to their digital collection. The pictures span the 1840s through the 1850s and are the oldest photos in the division's collection. Images feature Black people across the African Diaspora.
Invented in 1839, daguerreotypes were one of the oldest and first widely available photographic technologies of its day. Learn more.
What's On | See our Public Programs Schedule

Artwork: TJ Sterling
Coming up this month! Enjoy an evening of music by the Harlem Chamber Players and guest performers as the part of their 15th annual Black History Month concert at the Center on Thursday, February 16 at 6:30 PM. The night includes a world premiere of Episodes in an Unforeseen Departure by avant-garde jazz pianist-composer Aruán Ortiz, hosted by Terrance McKnight, WQXR host and artistic director of the Harlem Chamber Players.
Calling all comic book lovers, cosplayers, publishers, and artists! Our 11th Annual Black Comic Book Festival returns Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15 from 10 AM - 8 PM. Registration is open. Learn more.
In the Spotlight
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Dr. Tiya Miles Wins Lapidus Center's 2022 Harriet Tubman Prize
Congratulations to Dr.Tiya Miles, Michael Garvey Professor of History and Radcliffe Alumnae Professor at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University and author of All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley's Sack, a Black Family Keepsake.
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Explore Past Schomburg Center Exhibitions and Multimedia Projects
If you missed past in person exhibitions such as Traveling While Black, Been Seen, or Showing Out, you can see them online. Plus, view past multimedia projects produced by students in our Junior Scholars Program such as 'Til We Free and By Any Means Necessary.
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Space Rentals
Hosting an event? Consider our Langton Hughes Auditorium, Langston Hughes Lobby, American Negro Theatre, or Schomburg Courtyard. Learn more about these spaces.
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Sign up for Schomburg Connection
Get updates on our public programs, research guides, and more in our e-newsletter.
Featured at the Schomburg Center
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Visit the Schomburg Shop
The Schomburg Shop is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 AM to 6 PM for in-person shopping. Or, you can shop online.
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From Our Blog
Read blog posts from the librarians, staff, and fellows at the Schomburg Center.
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Public Programs
The Schomburg Center advances knowledge of the global Black experience through dynamic programs and exhibitions.
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Digital Schomburg
Access exhibitions, podcasts, videos, books, images, and more about the global Black experience 24/7.
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Support the Schomburg Center
Schomburg Society members receive discounts, invitations to exclusive events, and more!
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In the News
Read news stories featuring interviews with Schomburg Center curators, librarians, and staff.
Current Exhibitions
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Been Seen
Through March 11, 2023Schomburg Center for Research in Black CultureHighlighting the work of Harlem-based photographer Austin Hansen (1910 -1996) and the experiences of Black photographers to illuminate the… -
Boundless: 10 Years of Seeding Black Comic Futures
Through February 28, 2023Schomburg Center for Research in Black CultureThe exhibition celebrates the tenth anniversary of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture’s Black Comic Book Festival and…
Events
See All-
Harlem Chamber Players Black History Month Concert
Thursday, February 16 | 6:30 PM -
The Schomburg Center 's 11th Annual Black Comic Book Festival: Day 1
Friday, April 14 | 10 AM -
The Schomburg Center 's 11th Annual Black Comic Book Festival: Day 2
Saturday, April 15 | 10 AM
About the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

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.
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