Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

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. 

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.

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. 

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.