Visiting the Library
Who can use the MoMA Library?
The MoMA Library is open to anyone who wishes to consult its collections. Advance appointments are required.
How do I register for a Library account?
First request an appointment to view materials using the appointment request form. You will then receive an email confirming that you have been registered, providing a username and password, and indicating that you can now use your account to request materials.
How do I search the Library for material related to my topic?
Please log in to library.moma.org with your username and password. Once you have logged in, you can browse the Library’s holdings by clicking the search bar and entering key words, artist names, or phrases related to your topic, and then clicking on the magnifying glass icon to launch the search. If your search produces many results, you can use the filters on the left side of the page to refine your search, or click the “Advanced Search” button to the right of the search bar.
Once logged in you can request materials by clicking on an item you would like to view and scrolling down to the “Item Request” tab. Click on the “Item Request” tab to request the item and confirm by clicking on the pop-up with the “Send Request” button.
How do I request materials?
Upon confirmation of your appointment, you will receive instructions for requesting materials through the Library catalog. Once logged in you can request materials by clicking on an item you would like to view and scrolling down to the “Item Request” tab. Click on the “Item Request” tab to request the item and confirm by clicking on the pop-up with the “Send Request” button. All materials, regardless of storage location, require paging and must be requested five (5) days in advance. You may request up to 20 items to be consulted on-site per appointment. If we have not received your requests within one week prior to your arrival, the appointment will be canceled.
If you are having any issues, please contact the Library.
What are the Library hours?
The Library reading room is open by appointment on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We ask that you request appointments via the online form.
Where is the Library?
The MoMA Library is located in the Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building at 4 West 54 Street, part of the Museum complex in midtown Manhattan. Upon arrival, please check in with the receptionist.
Please note that all requested material, regardless of storage location, is viewed in our midtown location.
May I bring someone (e.g., a research assistant or guest) with me to my appointment?
If you would like to bring a guest, you must indicate this in your original appointment request. We can only accommodate guests and research assistants with sufficient advance notice.
Using the Library
What should I bring to my appointment?
Upon entering the Cullman Education and Research Building, please check in at the reception desk. You will be required to check all coats, bags, briefcases, purses, computer cases, pens, and bottles of water in a locker.
The only items that may be taken into the Library reading room are laptops, tablets, USB flash drives, notebooks, pencils, sweaters, suit jackets, wallets, and cellular phones. Cellular phones must be silenced. You may speak on your phone only in the building’s lobby; calls may not be taken on the sixth floor, including in reading rooms, hallways, offices, or bathrooms.
Researchers may use small handheld cameras, smartphones, or tablets to photograph materials for research purposes only. Other equipment, including video cameras and personal scanners, is not permitted in the reading room. Free Wi-Fi is available without a password, and power outlets are available on the reading tables.
Handling and care
The MoMA Library consists of a variety of materials, and to preserve these unique collections we ask that patrons handle all items with care.
Before handling any materials, all visitors are required to wash their hands with soap and water at the restroom on-site. Hand sanitizer is not permitted.
Sticky notes, highlighters, and pens may not be used in the Library. Plain paper bookmarks and pencils are available at the reading room reference desk. Do not mark, erase, fold, tear, or place adhesives of any kind on the materials.
If the materials are housed in protective enclosures, such as folders, sleeves, or boxes, please ensure they are returned in their original housing to maintain their protection.
Patrons may not reshelve any materials used. All materials should be returned to the reference desk during or at the conclusion of the appointment.
May I photograph or scan Library materials?
Researchers may use small, handheld cameras, smartphones, tablets, or one of the overhead book scanners to photograph or scan materials for research purposes only. Other equipment, including video cameras and personal scanners, is not permitted in the reading room.
Works in the MoMA 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. Images 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 from the Library or Museum collection, see Licensing.
Does the Library offer scans from the collection?
The MoMA Library does not provide scans from materials in our collection. Two overhead book scanners are available free of charge for use during your research appointment on a first-come, first-serve basis.
May I request items through interlibrary loan?
Due to staffing limitations, the MoMA Library is not currently lending or borrowing physical materials. All interlibrary loan requests must be made through OCLC/Worldshare, where we will provide limited scans of exhibition catalogues, files, and chapters in books or periodicals. The library will not copy materials for requests made outside of OCLC/Worldshare. Please send further inquiries to [email protected].
May I request a course visit at the Library?
We are happy to accept course visits. Instructors must review the guidelines and submit a course visit request via the online form by the due date for each semester (February 1 for the spring semester and September 15 for the fall semester).
Does the Library accept donations and/or gifts?
Gifts and donations are accepted with the understanding that the Library may add books or other materials to the collection at its discretion or dispose of them if they do not meet the standards for selection. Please complete the Library appointment request form with all relevant information pertaining to the potential donation.