Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem is one of The New York Public Library’s renowned research libraries. A world-leading cultural institution devoted to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diasporic, and African experiences, the Schomburg stewards a collection of over 11 million items.  

This year, we're celebrating our 100th anniversary! Join us all year long for a wide array of special events, exhibitions, and more as we celebrate this milestone and continue the legacy of Arturo Schomburg. Learn more.

To learn about the Center's research divisions, schedule an appointment, or find out about other services, see our resources for researchers. 

The Schomburg Shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 5:45 PM. The Shop sells books, clothing, jewelry, and more created by Black and Brown artists for all ages. The Shop will be closed for inventory on Thursday, June 26 and Friday, June 27.

Guided group tours take place Monday–Friday from 11 AM through 2 PM. Visit our Schomburg Tours page. Confirmed reservations are required for all guided group tours. 

Online applications are open for the 2025–2026 class of our Junior Scholars Program. The deadline is Monday, June 30. 

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.

Explore our research guide highlighting collections devoted to LGBTQ+ Studies. Our collection materials include the personal papers of writer James Baldwin, jazz singer Ada “Bricktop” Smith, and entertainer Stormé DeLarverié—widely believed to have sparked the Stonewall Uprising—and more. Read more. 

Through the collections of actor, singer, and producer Harry Belafonte, photographers Kwame Brathwaite and Chester Higgins, and tennis legend Arthur Ashe, take a look back at the Nelson Mandela’s historic 1990 trip to New York City and gain deeper insight on the anti-apartheid movement from the perspectives of some of the activists who have collections here. Read more. 

See our public programs schedule. Read more. 

Free Book Giveaway! Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library (While supplies last) Read more. 

Explore, It Happened in Harlem, our new list of recommended books for all ages. Learn more.   

Access the Centennial edition of Teaching with the Schomburg Center's Archives. Read more. 

Join us for a major new exhibition showcasing some of the many extraordinary items from our collections! Curated by Schomburg Center Director Joy L. Bivins, 100: A Century of Collections, Community, and Creativity will surround visitors with the sights, sounds, and objects that have shaped this historic institution’s first century. Read more. 

To ensure the safety of the Schomburg Center's collection and provide a smooth experience for all guests we kindly ask that visitors leave large bags—including book bags, backpacks, and shoulder bags—at home or in a secure location before arriving. Any item that could pose a risk to the artwork/artifacts or other visitors may be prohibited at the discretion of our security team.