Welcome to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

New York, NY 10037
Day | Hours |
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Monday | 10 AM–5 PM |
Tuesday | 10 AM–5 PM |
Wednesday | 10 AM–5 PM |
Thursday | 10 AM–5 PM |
Friday | 10 AM–5 PM |
Saturday | 10 AM–5 PM |
Sunday | CLOSED |
Day | Date | Hours |
---|---|---|
Monday | 5/30 | CLOSED |
Tuesday | 5/31 | 10 AM–5 PM |
Wednesday | 5/25 | 10 AM–5 PM |
Thursday | 5/26 | 10 AM–5 PM |
Friday | 5/27 | 10 AM–5 PM |
Saturday | 5/28 | CLOSED |
Sunday | 5/29 | 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.
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.
Explore our exhibitions Been Seen and Boundless: 10 Years of Seeding Black Comic Futures. Both are open 10 AM—4:30 PM, Monday to Saturday.
Visit the Schomburg Shop to see clothing, jewelry, and books for all ages created by Black and Brown artists. It's open Tuesday to Saturday 11 AM—5 PM.
Though there are no guided tours at this time, we are working diligently to restore this key service to visitors in spring 2022. 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.
Register for the 4th Annual Schomburg Center Literary Festival

The Schomburg Center Literary Festival: Reading the African Diaspora expands the center's long tradition of championing authors of African descent from across the globe and publications that celebrate Black history and culture. On Saturday, June 18, we will reconvene our community of book lovers and their favorite authors for our annual outdoor literary festival.
Acclaimed authors participating include Jason Reynolds (Stunt Boy, Miles Morales: Spider-Man, Patina, Ghost), Roxane Gay (Hunger, Bad Feminist, Difficult Women), journalist Linda Villarosa (Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation) and Mateo Askaripour (Black Buck) and more. Poet Mahogany L. Browne (Chlorine Sky, Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice, Woke Baby, and Black Girl Magic: A Poem) will open the 135th Street stages with her curated Woke Baby Children’s Festival featuring readings, music, movement, and craft-making.
See our schedule of events. Learn more.
The Schomburg Center Literary Festival is generously sponsored by Corbin Capital.
June 13—18 | Center Hosting Statue Honoring Playwright Lorraine Hansberry

The Schomburg Center is hosting the statue, To Sit Awhile, from Monday, June 13—Saturday, June 18. Created by Alison Saar on behalf of The Lillys, the artwork is part of a national tour promoting the life, work, and legacy of the history-making playwright.
The Schomburg Center is home to the Lorraine Hansberry collections. Materials include her journals, photos, unpublished works, and more. Learn more.
Books Picks About Black High Society in the Gilded Age

In HBO's The Gilded Age, the character Peggy Scott is an aspiring writer and the daughter of a successful Black pharmacist who lives in a thriving Black community in Brooklyn. Peggy’s story gives us a glimpse into this lesser known history of America’s Black elite. If the television show has inspired you to learn more about this period, check out these book picks. Learn more.
In the Spotlight
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Spring 2022 Schedule of Events
See our Spring 2022 schedule of events. Also, if you missed past programs such as the 10th Annual Black Comic Book Festival or our Black Feminists Series, those programs—and more—are available to view online.
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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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Open Now! Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library's Treasures
NYPL's first-ever permanent exhibition is now open at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, featuring items from our historic collections. Reserve your free timed tickets now!
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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 5 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
OngoingSchomburg 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
OngoingSchomburg 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
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Films of Black Struggle
Thursday, June 2 | 6:30 PM -
Freedom Dreams: Juneteenth-Inspired Professional Learning for NYC Educators
Thursday, June 9 | 9 AM -
Lift Every Voice: The 20th Annual Junior Scholars Program Youth Summit
Saturday, June 11 | 11 AM -
Schomburg Center Literary Festival 2022
Saturday, June 18 | 10:30 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.
Learn more about this location Learn about capital construction projects at this location