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.

Join us on Saturday, June 17 at 11:30 AM for our fifth annual Schomburg Center Literary Festival.

Our newest exhibition Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration, which explores the impact of the U.S. prison system on contemporary visual art, is open through Monday, December 4. There are free guided tours on June 12, June 26, July 10, and July 24 at 11 AM and 12:30 PM. Tickets are limited. Reservations are recommended.  

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.

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 summer 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. 

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.

Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond (Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky), Magogodi oaMphela Makhene (Innards), and Claude Johnson (Black Fives: The Epic Story of Basketball's Forgotten Era) have been added to the expanding lineup of authors speaking at our fifth annual Schomburg Center Literary Festival on June 17.

Writer and cultural critic Sarah Ladipo Manyika is this year's keynote speaker and CEO of MoviePass Stacy Spikes closes the festival. There will be workshops hosted by the Harlem Writers Guild and The Moth. The Woke Baby! Festival returns for young readers.

Plus, explore our new outdoor banner exhibition Beloved: African-American Portraits from the Dawn of Photography at St. Nicholas Park in Harlem. See more.

Our online archive of public programs includes conversations about some of the LGBTQ+ champions who have been on the front lines fighting for social and legal justice.

June is a terrific opportunity to learn more and watch powerful conversations about warriors for equality such as writer James Baldwin, playwright Lorraine Hansberry, writer Audrey Lorde, and legal strategist Pauli Murray. They used the power of the written word to spark meaningful discussions, create safer spaces, and help advance the civil rights of all. See more.

Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-George (1745–1799) is the first known music composer of African descent. He influenced fellow composers of his day such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and inspired authors including Alexandre Dumas. 

Our in-person and online collection materials highlight the activism, bravery, genius, and magnificence of a multi-talented man who broke the color barrier for Black composers, advanced the art form, and was almost erased by history. See more.

Actor, producer, and singer Harry Belafonte (1927–2023), born to immigrant parents from Martinique and Jamaica, used his art as a platform to advocate for civil rights in the U.S. and end apartheid in South Africa.

We are home to the collections of Mr. Belafonte. Schedule a research appointment to view his writings, personal photos, and more. Learn more about the materials in our collections.