515 Malcolm X Boulevard (135th St and Malcolm X Blvd)
New York, NY 10037
917-275-6975
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Open today
10 AM–6 PM
Regular Hours
Day Hours
Monday 10 AM–6 PM
Tuesday 10 AM–6 PM
Wednesday 10 AM–6 PM
Thursday 10 AM–6 PM
Friday 10 AM–6 PM
Saturday 10 AM–6 PM
Sunday CLOSED

Visit the Schomburg Center

The front doors of the Schomburg Center. The words “Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture'' is written as a metal awning above the front doors.

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.

Our Art & Artifacts and Moving Image and Recorded Sound divisions are temporarily closed. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Our Holiday Marketplace returns Friday, December 1 and Saturday, December 2.  Check it out in person at the Schomburg Shop from 11 AM to 5:45 PM. 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.

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.

Although there are no guided tours at this time, we are working diligently to restore this key service to visitors in spring 2024. Please continue to check this page and the Schomburg Tours page for updates and more information.

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.

Puerto Rican Heritage Month | Discover Materials in Our Collections on Puerto Rico

Left to right: A page of archival meeting minutes, a picture of Arturo Schomburg seated in a chair, a page of archival meeting minutes.

Digital Collections Images 1941531, 1939249, and 1941532

Through our collections, explore Puerto Rico’s history as a colony of Spain and later as a U.S. territory following the Spanish-American War. Plus, learn about our founder Arturo Schomburg (1874–1938), who was of Puerto Rican and Black descent.

Discover his role in helping to liberate the island from Spain. Mr. Schomburg also advocated for the equal treatment of Puerto Rican people by the U.S. federal government. Read more

Dec 1 Deadline | Apply to our Scholars-in-Residence Program

A woman is seated at a desk reading paper work inside a manilla folder. Behind her are small sculptures and statues

Photo: Lisa Herndon

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.

It offers long and short-term fellowships designed to support and encourage research and writing on the history, politics, literature, and culture of the peoples of Africa and the African diaspora. Fellows receive a stipend, research support, and more. Read more

Fall 2023 Exhibitions & Programs

Against a yellow/gold background, the words Fall 2023, Exhibitions and Programs.

Hip-Hop History Month | Explore the Archives of Luminaries in Our Collections Referenced in Rap

A collage of five vertical shaped photos. Left to right: Marcus Garvey, Maya Angelou, Malcolm X, James Baldwin, and Lorraine Hansberry.

Digital Collections Images 1953574, psnypl_scg_204, 1225941, and 5048929

Rap music has been and continues to be a platform to discuss the struggles of communities of color, speak out against police brutality, advocate for equality and justice, and discuss everyday life. Sometimes, inspiration for rap lyrics has come from the works and legacies of people such as poet Maya Angelou, writer James Baldwin, activist Marcus Garvey, playwright Lorraine Hansberry, and activist Malcolm X. These luminaries all have their papers, photographs, and more at the Center.

Explore our archives and learn more about some of the visionaries who were mentioned by artists such as Chuck D, KRS-One, and Rapsody in their lyrics or referenced in their music videos. Read more

In the Spotlight

Current Exhibitions

  • Nellie Mae Rowe: Something From Nothing

    Ongoing
    Online Only
    Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

    Inspired by the premiere of a documentary film honoring the creative spirit of Nellie Mae Rowe, check out this curated selection of…

  • Michael Cummings & A Bygone Era in Art

    Ongoing
    Online Only
    Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

    Beginning in the 1970s, American artist and quiltmaker Michael A. Cummings began collecting Black art event ephemera. Recently…

  • Watercolors Amongst Friends

    Ongoing
    Online Only
    Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

    Letters between Arturo Schomburg and illustrator, Albert Alexander Smith from the 1930s discuss the acquisition of these newly digitized…

  • FUNDI: A Legacy of Learning & Liberation

    Through May 1, 2024
    Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

    Celebrating the artistic contributions of the Schomburg Center's Junior Scholars Program.

  • Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration

    Through December 4, 2023
    Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

    Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration explores the impact of the US prison system on contemporary visual art.…

About the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Interior view of 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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