P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center
MoMA's Affiliation with P.S.1
Visiting P.S.1
The following Frequently Asked Questions have been compiled by the Museum Library. Questions about art research that are not included here can be directed to library@moma.org. See also Research FAQ, MoMA Research FAQ and DADABASE FAQ.
- Who may use the Libraries?
- Where are the Libraries? How do I get there?
- How do I know what's where?
- What are the Library hours?
- How do I make appointments?
- What do I do upon arrival?
- What's allowed in the reading rooms? What do I have to store in lockers and why?
- How do I request materials?
- May I request materials in advance?
- Will you ship materials between Libraries?
- May I use both Libraries on the same day?
- How are the Library, Museum Archives, and Study Centers related?
- Is the Library catalogue on the Internet?
- What research databases are available at the libraries?
- Are items in the catalogue digitized?
- May I borrow from the Library?
- May I borrow through interlibrary loan?
- May I put materials on hold (on reserve)?
- May I photocopy Library materials?
- May I photograph Library materials?
- May I scan Library materials?
- When copying, photographing, or scanning, what about copyright?
- Does the Library have audiovisual materials?
- Does the Library have slides I can borrow?
- Can I connect to the Internet with my laptop?
- Why can't I use sticky notes (like Post-It Notes) in the Library?
- Where can I use my cell phone?
- How can I find out if the Library would add a book (or artist book, exhibition catalogue, exhibition announcement) to its collection?
- Does the Library have MoMA exhibition catalogues?
- What is the Franklin Furnace/Artist Book Collection?
- What is the Political Art Documentation/Distribution (PAD/D) Archive?
- How can I access The Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Archive?
- What is the Latin American Bibliography?
- What is in an Artist File?
- What is in a Subject File?
- What is in an Archive Pamphlet File?
- Would you copy and send a file to me?
- Will the Library research a topic for me?
- Will the Library identify, authenticate, or appraise art for me?
Q. Who may use the Libraries?
A. The Library is open by appointment to all researchers. Elementary, secondary, and undergraduate students are advised to start their research at school and public libraries. To learn how to do basic art research, see Art Research FAQ.
Q. Where are the Libraries? How do I get there?
A. MoMA Library Manhattan is located in The Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building at 4 West 54 St., part of the Museum complex in midtown Manhattan. Directions are available at Plan Your Visit.
MoMA Library QNS is located at 45-20 33 St. in Long Island City, Queens. For directions see How to Get There.
Q. How do I know what's where?
In brief, Manhattan (MHTN) has books published after 1939, most Special Collections, most MoMA publications, and some current periodical issues.
At QNS are books published before 1940, bound periodicals, the rest of the current periodical issues, small exhibition catalogues (AEC, GEC), Artist's Books, and most files. If in doubt, check DADABASE for MHTN or QNS locations. To limit a search to MHTN or QNS items, use Quick Limit (to the right of the Simple Search screen).
Q. What are the Library hours?
A. MoMA
Library Manhattan, Wedesday, Thursday, & Friday, 11:00
a.m.–5:00 p.m.
MoMA Library QNS, Monday, 11:00 a.m.–5:00
p.m.
Appointments are required.
See also How do I know what's where?
Please note: the Library is closed for the month of August, reopening the day after Labor Day. Advance appointments are welcome.
Q. How do I make appointments?
A. For appointments at either the Manhattan or QNS locations, e-mail, call (212) 708-9433, or fax (212) 333-1122. All appointments must be confirmed.
Researchers are strongly advised to check the location of relevant materials and the hours of those locations in advance.
Items may be requested both on-site and in advance. For details see How do I request materials? and May I request materials in advance?
Q. What do I do upon arrival?
A. MoMA Library Manhattan Enter on Fifty-fourth Street and check in with the receptionist. Check coats, bags and cases in the lockers provided. (Plastic bags are supplied to carry materials to and from the reading room.)
An elevator pass is necessary. In exchange for a pass, researchers must leave a valid ID—something you'll remember to pick up upon departure. (Credit cards and passports are not accepted.) In the elevator, hold the pass in front of the small black window below the elevator buttons. When the light turns green, press 6. Check in with the librarian. Please silence cell phones.
MoMA Library QNS Enter MoMA QNS via the staff entrance and check in with security. Check coats, bags and cases in the lockers provided. Enter the Library from the lobby and check in with the librarian. Please silence cell phones.
Q. What's allowed in the reading rooms? What do I have to store in lockers and why?
A. For security and preservation
purposes, only certain materials are permitted in the reading rooms.
All other materials must be stored in the lockers provided. Please
silence cell phones. See also Where can I
use my cell phone?
You may bring a laptop, notebooks, notes, paper,
pencils, a camera, and digital media into the reading rooms.
You must store coats, bags (including purses),
laptop and camera cases, pens, and markers.
Q. How do I request materials?
A. All materials must be requested through DADABASE, the online catalog. Upon arrival at the Library, check in with the librarian to obtain a DADABASE ID, password, and instructions. A DADABASE ID and password will be issued to you each day you use the Libraries. On-site paging hours are 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Allow fifteen to sixty minutes for delivery.
See also Can I connect to the Internet with my laptop?
Q. May I request materials in advance?
A. Yes. Researchers may request up to five items in advance of each visit. Requests should be verified in DADABASE and include your name, appointment date, title, call number, location (the line above the call number), and other relevant data (such as volume number or publication date). E-mail requests to library@moma.org. Materials may also be requested on-site. See How do I request materials? See also DADABASE FAQ.
Q. Will you ship materials between Libraries?
A. No. For reasons of security and preservation, researchers must visit the relevant library. Researchers visiting from out of town are advised to verify item location and status in advance.
Q. May I use both Libraries on the same day?
A. No. At this time the Libraries are not open concurrently. (See Library hours)
Q. How are the Library, Museum Archives, and Study Centers related?
A. The Library, Museum Archives, and Study Centers work in concert. For general research about modern art, including catalogues from past Museum exhibitions, contact the Library. For primary source materials, especially those concerning The Museum of Modern Art as an institution, contact the Museum Archives. For materials related to individual works in the Museum's collections, including films and videos, consult the relevant study center.
Q. Is the Library catalogue on the Internet
A. Yes. DADABASE, the online catalogue of The Museum of Modern Art Library, Archives, and Study Centers is searchable at http://arcade.nyarc.org/. To learn more, please see DADABASE FAQ.
Q. What research databases are available at the Libraries?
A. In addition to DADABASE, the Libraries' online catalog, several other art research databases are available for on-site use. Major sources include:
- MoMA Installation Photographs. Approximately 3,500 images comprehensively documenting major exhibitions from 1929 through 1955
- MoMA Architecture and Design Collection. Images of approximately 6,200 works
- MoMA Exhibition Chronology, 1929–present
- Periodical indexes: Art Abstracts, ArtBibliographies Modern, Avery Index, Jstor, FIAF Index to Film and TV Periodicals, selected Ebsco Electronic Journals, and more
- Auction results indexes: Artfact, ArtInfo, Artnet, Artprice, and Gordon's Print and Photography Prices
- ARTstor image database
- WorldCat union catalogue
- General reference sources such as the Grove Dictionary of Art Online
Q. Are items in the catalogue digitized?
A. Virtually all listings in the catalog refer to physical materials, though links to some databases are included. Several full-text and image databases are available to on-site researchers; see What research databases are available at the libraries?
Q. May I borrow from the Library?
A. No. The Library is a research collection. Materials may not be removed from the Library. Photocopiers are available for copies. Photographs are also permitted; a digital camera is available for researcher use. A photographic copy stand is available at QNS.
Q. May I borrow through interlibrary loan?
A. The Library welcomes interlibrary loan requests from participating SHARES institutions via OCLC. Materials are loaned for four weeks, for library use only. Due to the high volume of requests, loans to non-SHARES libraries are limited to last-resort requests. For such requests, send ALA request forms via e-mail, fax (212) 333-1122, or send a letter. Requests from individuals and non-library institutions are not accepted.
Q. May I put materials on hold for later use?
A. Yes. For use of Library materials over several days, items may be held at the reference desk.
Q. May I photocopy Library materials?
A. Yes. Self-service black-and-white photocopiers are available at the Library. Copies are 15 cents per page (double-sided copies are considered one page).
Color copies may be ordered for pick-up or mailing in two business days. Color copies are $2 each.
Available paper sizes for black-and-white or color copies are: 8.5 x 11", 8.5 x 14", and 11 x 17".
A copier at each Library is equipped with eCopy, which scans free, digital, black-and-white PDF files to an e-mail address.
Fragile or structurally weak materials may not be photocopied. For an alternative, see May I photograph Library materials?
Q. May I photograph Library materials?
A. Yes. Most Library materials may be photographed. Book supports are available and a copy stand is available at QNS.
Q. May I scan Library materials?
A. Yes. A free, self-service, 11 x 17" color scanner is available at the Manhattan Library and an 8.5 x 14" color scanner is available at QNS. Scans can be saved to CD, DVD, or flash drive. Small files can be e-mailed.
Fragile or structurally weak materials may not be scanned. For an alternative, see May I photograph Library materials?
Q. When copying, photographing, or scanning, what about copyright?
Works in The Museum of Modern Art Library may be protected by the Copyright Law of The United States (Title 17, United States Code). Therefore, the making of copies, whether by photographs, photocopies or other reproductions, may be subject to copyright laws.
- Photographs taken of Library material may be used only for private study, scholarship, or research.
- Any other use, including reproduction or publication, requires the permission of the copyright holder.
- To learn about reproducing images of works in the Musuem collection, see Image Permissions.
Q. Does the Library have audiovisual materials?
A. Yes. The Library collects video, CD, DVD, records, cassettes and other non-print media. DADABASE is searchable by medium. Ask staff for assistance.
Q. Does the Library have slides I can borrow?
A. No. The Library does not maintain a slide collection.
Q. Can I connect to the Internet with my laptop?
A. MoMA Library Manhattan: Wireless, yes. Ethernet cable, no. Two Internet-accessible laptops are available in the reading room. Three loaner laptops are also available for individual use.
MoMA Library QNS: Ethernet cable yes, wireless, no. Two internet-accessible laptops are available in the reading room.
See also How do I request materials?
Q. Why can't I use sticky notes (like Post-It Notes) in the Library?
A. Sticky notes leave an adhesive residue on the page. Use plain paper bookmarks, available in the Library reading room.
Q. Where can I use my cell phone?
A. Cell phones may be used in the Cullman and QNS building lobbies only. Cell phones may not be used in the Library reading rooms, hallways, offices, or bathrooms.
Q. How can I find out if the Library would add a book (or artist's book, exhibition catalogue, exhibition announcement) to its collection?
A. The Library welcomes suggestions for additions to its collection. All gifts and recommendations are evaluated in accordance with the Library's collection development policy, available upon request. In brief, the Library attempts to collect comprehensively in modern and contemporary art (including painting, sculpture, drawing, prints, photography, architecture, design, film, video, and digital media). The Library collects published material in all media (print, audio, video, digital).
The Library also collects artists' books (also known as bookworks, book objects or artists' magazines) inexpensively in large editions (usually one hundred or more) utilizing photomechanical processes. Of particular interest are visual books or those that integrate the verbal-visual aspects to convey a cohesive concept or idea. The Library does not collect unique or small-edition artists' books, illustrated books, or portfolios of prints or photographs.
Books for review should be sent to the Librarian, Collection Development with a cover letter addressing the guidelines. Please include a biographical statement or curriculum vita. Due to the volume of material received, materials cannot be returned and may not be acknowledged.
See also How can I find Artists' Books in DADABASE?
Q. Does the Library have MoMA exhibition catalogues and other Museum publications?
A. Yes. The Library maintains a complete set of MoMA publications, including exhibition catalogues, gallery brochures, many checklists, and press releases. Exhibition catalogues, gallery brochures, and some checklists are catalogued in DADABASE. Press releases are housed in the Manhattan reading room, organized by date. A digital version is available at the Museum Archives. The Museum's magazines are now digitized in the Jstor database. Installation photographs are being digitized and added to the ARTstor database. See also MoMA Research FAQ.
Q. What is the Franklin Furnace Artist Book Collection?
A. The Franklin Furnace Archive was founded by Martha Wilson (b. 1947) in 1976 as an archive of artist's books, as well as an exhibition and performance space. Its mission:
To collect twentieth-century art in book form and related materials published internationally; to inclusively catalogue and preserve art in book form; to make accessible and interpret the importance of the permanent collection through computerizing the catalogue of the collection, mounting traveling, historical and thematic exhibitions which utilize aspects of the permanent collection; and to mount installations; to publish; to administer education programs; to undertake unforeseen projects consistent with the impulse that produced the works in the permanent collection, such as performance art.
Through 1994, programs included multi-media installations and performance art presentations by emerging artists, including Laurie Anderson, Eric Bogosian, William Wegman, and many others; an archive of artists' books, periodicals, postcards, soundworks, manifestoes and broadsides; a literary program for elementary and high school students; an internship program for college students; travelling shows of artists' books; historical and thematic exhibitions of published work by artists; and a reference library on various fields of avant-garde expression. To learn about the current activities of Franklin Furnace, see the Franklin Furnace website.
Following the sale of the archive to the MoMA Library in 1994, Franklin Furnace continued to operate as an alternative artists' space, mounting installations and presenting performances through February 1997. The portion of the archive at the Library comprises artists' books, bookworks, book objects, artists' magazines, soundworks, and mail art (all catalogued in DADABASE).
The archive also includes secondary materials such as books, exhibition catalogues, ephemera, sound recordings, photographic portraits of artists, performance documentation, newsletters, and periodicals relating to the collection. In addition, the archive contains documentary materials generated by Franklin Furnace, such as exhibition planning records and correspondence, published checklists and catalogues, and records relating to acquisitions. See also How can I find Franklin Furnace Archive materials in DADABASE? and How can I find Artists' Books in DADABASE?
Q. What is the Political Art Documentation/Distribution (PAD/D) Archive?
A. Political Art Documentation/Distribution, an artists' collective conceived by Lucy Lippard in 1979, was active through 1988. Its archive was organized by Barbara Moore and Mimi Smith and was donated to the Library in 1989. PAD/D's stated goal was:
To provide artists with an organized relationship to society, to demonstrate the political effectiveness of image making, and to provide a framework within which progressive artists can discuss and develop alternatives to the mainstream art system.
The Archive focuses on the decade 1979–90, with some material dating from the early 1960s. The collection is composed of two sections: files and posters. Files are organized by names of persons, groups, and exhibition spaces as well as by topics and PAD/D administrative categories. The files are catalogued individually in DADABASE. See also How can I find Political Art Documentation/Distribution Archive materials in DADABASE?
The poster collection includes works relating to ACT UP, Allen Ginsberg, Angry Arts, Art Workers Coalition, Barbara Kruger, Coalition for a People's Alternative in 1980, Dona Ann McAdams, Elizabeth Kulas, Greg Sholette, Guerrilla Girls, Heresies, Jerry Kearns, Keith Haring, PAD/D, Printed Matter, Terminal New York, War Resisters League, Yoko Ono and John Lennon, and others. Prior arrangement is required; please contact the Library.
For a brief history of PAD/D, see The Museum of Modern Art Library Bulletin, n.86, Winter 1993/94.
Q. How can I access The Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Archive?
The Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Archive is maintained by the Architecture and Design Study Center. Researchers are advised to start with the publications listed below. These include photographic reproductions of all the architectural drawings by Mies van der Rohe in the possession of the Archive, as well as catalogue entries describing each drawing (and print and collage). If the project was built, these volumes contain one or more photographs, and in some cases, photographs of models. The first six volumes cover the German period, while the remaining fourteen volumes are devoted to the American work. The set may be consulted at the Library.
- Arthur Drexler, ed., The Mies van der Rohe Archive Part I: 1910–1937 (New York: Garland, 1986), v.1–4. Call number: Archive M44 A17d v.1–4
- Franz Schulze and George Danfoth, eds., The Mies van der Rohe Archive Part I: 1938-1968 (New York: Garland, 1993), v. 7–20. Call number: Oversize Archive M44 A17d v.7–20
- Ludwig Glaeser. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: Drawings in the Collection of the Museum of Modern Art (New York: MoMA, 1969). Call number: Flat—QNS NA2707.M55 A4 19609
- Ludwig Glaeser. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: Furniture and Furniture Drawings from the Design Collection and the Mies van der Rohe Archive (New York: MoMA, 1977). Call number: Reading Room MHTN MoMA 1165; Library Stacks—QNS MoMA 1165
Q. What is the Latin American Bibliography?
A. The Latin American Bibliography lists over 15,000 volumes of literature on Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino art held by the Library of The Museum of Modern Art. This subset of the Library's catalog (DADABASE) is continuously updated.
The strength of the Museum's collection lies in its exhibition catalogues and artists’ monographs. For those books and catalogues dealing with a number of international artists or art movements, the bibliography is limited to catalogues with significant content devoted to Latin American, Caribbean, and/or U.S. Latino artists. Not available in this bibliography are serials and artists' books, which can be accessed through DADABASE. The Library also holds a wealth of important and unique ephemera, located in the Library's artists’ files. Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino artist files are also accessible through DADABASE.
Q. What is in an Artist File?
The Library's Artist Files, numbering over 80,000, may contain exhibition announcements, press releases, clippings, brochures, small exhibition catalogues, or checklists, as well as invitations or other ephemera. Most artist exhibition catalogues are not in the artist files; rather, they are catalogued individually in DADABASE.
To see if an artist has a file, search DADABASE by subject for the artist's name. Artist Files are paper files not currently in digital form, however a microfiche copy (as of approximately 1984) is available at the Manhattan Library, at several research libraries, or through the publisher, Chadwyck-Healey. The Library also has other types of files on artists, all catalogued individually in DADABASE: Photo Bio Files, Archives Pamphlet Files, Franklin Furnace Artist Files, PAD/D Files, Artists' Space Artist Files, and (coming soon) Drawing Center Artist Files. Most files are located at QNS.
Q. What is in a Subject File?
The Library's Subject Files, numbering approximately 4,000, briefly document institutions and topics through announcements and clippings. Material has not been added to the Subject Files since 1998. These are paper files not available in digital form. Because the Subject Files tend to be "thin," see if there are additional materials on your topic through a DADABASE search by subject, or ask a librarian for assistance. Subject files are located at QNS. See also How can I find Subject Files in DADABASE?
Q. What is in an Archive Pamphlet File?
The Library's Archive Pamphlet Files concern the Museum and Museum-related events, topics, people, and places. These files are located at the Manhattan Library. These files may contain clippings, press releases or other ephemera. They are paper files currently unavailable in digital form. To see if there are additional materials on your topic, also search DADABASE by subject. See also How can I find Archives Pamphlet Files in DADABASE?
Q. Would you copy and send a file to me?
Due to the number of queries we receive, it's not possible for us to copy and send file contents. Instead, please consult the file at the Library. For Artist File contents, a microfiche version (completed 1986) may be available through your local library, interlibrary loan, or from the publisher, Chadwyck-Healey.
Q. Will the Library research a topic for me?
A. No. In-depth questions must be explored by the researcher. Library staff can suggest approaches to a topic or help researchers to locate sources via e-mail. Librarians can also often answer reference questions. Reference questions concern readily-available facts (such as artist birth and death dates or Museum collection catalog checks).
Q. Will the Library identify, authenticate, or appraise art for me?
A. No. See How can I get an artwork evaluated, authenticated, or appraised?
Updated September 2008