Admission and Use | Collections and Research | Services
Admission and Use
The reading room of the Frick Art Reference Library is closed. Library services are on pause in July and August, with remote services expected to resume in the fall of 2024.
Who can use the Frick Art Reference Library?
Do I need to be a member of The Frick Collection to use the Library?
How do I use the Library?
Can I register online?
How does the Library handle my privacy?
What are the hours of the Library?
Can I bring my child or infant to the Library?
Can I bring my purse or bag with me when visiting the Library?
Can I wear my coat or other outerwear while conducting research at the Library?
Can I bring a work of art into the reading room?
Can I have lunch at the Library?
Can I use a camera or digital camera at the Library?
Can I use highlighters, sticky notes, or other office supplies at the Library?
Are laptops or tablets allowed at the Library?
Is wireless Internet access available at the Library?
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Who can use the Frick Art Reference Library?
The Library is open free of charge to visitors 13 years of age or older.
Do I need to be a member of The Frick Collection to use the Library?
No.
Use of the Library requires registration. Library cards and temporary barcode numbers are for use by the individuals to whom they are issued. They are non-transferable. By accepting the cards or temporary barcode numbers, researchers agree to follow the policies of the Library. To register and for more information about admission and use of the Library, see Visit.
Registration is required. To register, see the Registration Form. For more information about admission and use of the Library, see Visit.
How does the Library handle my privacy?
See the Frick Art Reference Library Privacy Guidelines and The Frick Collection Web site Privacy Policy.
What are the hours of the Library?
The Library's reading room is closed. The historic buildings of The Frick Collection, including the Library, are anticipated to reopen in late 2024. Library services are on pause in July and August, with remote services expected to resume in the fall. Learn more about the comprehensive renovation project.
Can I bring my child or infant to the reading room?
The Library is open only to visitors 13 years of age or older. Therefore, young children and infants are not permitted.
Can I bring my purse or bag with me when visiting the reading room?
Purses or bags that exceed the dimensions of 9” x 12” x 3” must be self checked in the reading room. All laptop and camera cases must be self checked. Luggage is not permitted and will not be checked.
Can I wear my coat or other outerwear while conducting research in the reading room?
All coats and other outerwear must be self checked.
Can I bring a work of art into the reading room?
Works of art are not permitted.
Can I have lunch in the reading room?
All food, drinks, candy, and gum are not permitted in the reading room and other public areas.
Can I use a digital camera in the reading room?
Digital cameras can be used in the reading room to photograph collection items. Please note that photography is not permitted in the art galleries.
Can I use highlighters, sticky notes, or other office supplies in the reading room?
The use of highlighters, sticky notes, or other office supplies is not permitted in the reading room. Any needed supplies in the general course of research are provided by the Library.
Are laptops or tablets allowed in the reading room?
There is limited access to public computers that are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. You are encouraged to bring your own laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
Is wireless Internet access available in the reading room?
Wireless Internet access is available in the reading room for researchers who have devices with wireless capabilities. Ask at the Reference Desk for assistance with logging in to the Library's network. Please note that some Internet content is blocked in order to reduce network traffic.
Collections and Research
How do I determine if the Library has a book I am looking for?
How do I read e-books listed in the Library’s catalog?
Are electronic resources available from home or office?
Can I check out materials from the Library?
How do I examine archival collections?
What is the Photoarchive?
How is the Photoarchive organized?
How do I request Photoarchive artist files?
How do I read a Photoarchive photo mount?
How do I cite the Photoarchive?
Does the Library accept gifts?
How can I support the Library?
How do I determine if the Library has a book I am looking for?
The collections of the Library can be searched using the catalog. It contains records for the book, photoarchive, auction catalog, and microform collections, and e-resources. The catalog is available onsite at the Library or offsite using a computer with an Internet connection and a Web browser.
The holdings of the Library can also be found in NYARC Discovery, the catalog of the New York Art Resources Consortium (NYARC). NYARC Discovery brings together the holdings of the Library and the libraries of The Museum of Modern Art and the Brooklyn Museum.
How do I read e-books listed in the Library’s catalog?
The Library has access to thousands of e-books through the Proquest Ebook Central service. To read these titles, researchers must be registered. To learn about registration, see Visit.
A researcher can access Proquest Ebook Central e-books onsite and remotely by creating and/or signing in to his or her Proquest Ebook Central account when viewing the log in webpage after typing in the Institution Name "Frick Art Reference Library." A researcher can only create a Proquest Ebook Central account while onsite at the Library. There is a browsing period (5 minutes) for each title after which you must check out the book. Please be aware that not all items are available for check out.
Note that there are many e-books, in addition to those offered through Proquest Ebook Central, in the Library's catalog that are freely available both onsite and remotely, and do not require a researcher to register with the Library.
Are e-resources available from home or office?
The subscription e-resources listed in the catalog can only be accessed when visiting the Library. However, non-subscription Web sites listed in the catalog can be accessed and used from offsite. For more information, see our catalog.
Items from the collections of the Library that are available full text from home or office can be access through our catalog.
Can I check out materials from the Library?
The Library is a non-circulating art research library. Materials must be consulted in the Library's reading room.
How do I examine archival collections?
Archival materials are accessed in the reading room of the Library by appointment. Contact the Archives department at archives@frick.org to schedule an appointment. Researchers are required to register to use the Library and complete an Application for Access to the Archives. All researchers must abide by the terms and conditions set forth in this application.
The Photoarchive is a collection of photographs and other reproductions of works of art for study purposes. It does not contain stock photography or fine art photography. Many of the images from the collection can be accessed through Frick Digital Collections.
How is the Photoarchive organized?
The Photoarchive is arranged first by national school, second by artist name, and third by subject. The Library uses a unique subject classification system. For information about the subjects included see the painting and drawing, and sculpture guides. For accessibility assistance with viewing the information in the guides, email library@frick.org.
How do I read a Photoarchive photo mount?
See the photo mount handout for more information. For accessibility assistance with viewing the information in the handout, email library@frick.org.
How do I cite the Photoarchive?
Frick Art Reference Library Photoarchive files, [Artist], "[Title]," [catalog number] or supply files, accessed [date].
Example, classified mounts: Frick Art Reference Library Photoarchive files, S.F.B. Morse, "Moss Kent," 121-15 k2, accessed April 7, 2010.
Example, supply mounts: Frick Art Reference Library Photoarchive files, S.F.B. Morse, "Portrait of an Unknown Man," supply files, accessed April 7, 2010.
Does the Library accept gifts?
The Library accepts gifts of monographs, catalogues raisonnés, exhibition catalogs, auction catalogs, collection catalogs, photographs, and archival materials that fall within the coverage of its collections. Please note that gifts to the Library are accepted without restrictions. Gifts that are not added to the Library's collections will be sold to benefit the general acquisition fund. Book donations are acknowledged with credit lines in our catalog. Write library@frick.org for more information.
How can I support the Library?
If you are interested in financially supporting the Library, please see Program Support for detailed information about how you can contribute.
Services
How do I ask a research-related question?
Can I make scans or photocopies from Library materials?
Can I place a request for materials held at another library?
Can I place a scan request for items held by the Library?
How do I request images of Frick Art Reference Library Photoarchive negatives?
How do I request images of works of art in The Frick Collection?
Does the Library authenticate or valuate works of art?
How do I ask a research-related question?
To ask a research question, see Ask a Question.
Can I make scans or photocopies from Library materials?
The Library offers self-serve, scanning services in the reading room on a first-come, first-serve basis.
We reserve the right to refuse copying services if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.
Notice Warning of Copyright Restrictions
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement.
Can I place a request for materials held at another library?
The Library can borrow books and other materials not held in its collections from other research institutions for on-site examination. Please note that not all library materials are available through interlibrary loan and use of this service is limited to registered researchers. To place a request, see Interlibrary Loan. For more information about access and use of the Library, see Visit.
Can I place a scan request for items held by the Library?
The Library can scan up to 20 pages from an item in its collections delivered as a PDF through email. Requests for scans are placed though its document delivery service. Please note that not all Library materials can be scanned and use of this service is limited to registered researchers. To place a request, see Document Delivery. For more information about access and use of the Library, see Visit.
How do I request images of Frick Art Reference Library Photoarchive negatives?
Email library@frick.org to place requests for high-resolution images of Frick Art Reference Library Photoarchive negatives, include the "Permanent link to this page" at the bottom of the record corresponding to the needed image in our catalog. Note that images from our Photoarchive can be downloaded up to a 2048 pixel length through Frick Digital Collections.
The release of an image by the Library in no way grants or expresses permission for reproduction in any print or electronic media. Identifying copyright owners and obtaining permission is the responsibility of the author and the publisher.
How do I request images of works of art in The Frick Collection?
For information about rights and reproduction related to images of works of art in The Frick Collection, please contact imagerights@frick.org.
Does the Library authenticate or valuate works of art?
The Library does not authenticate or valuate works of art. The staff is happy to provide researchers with information and/or materials to allow them to draw their own conclusions. The Library refers researchers to the professional appraiser and dealer associations listed below. Proceed at your own discretion.
Art Dealers Association of America
205 Lexington Avenue
Suite #901
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-488-5550
https://www.artdealers.org
National Antique and Art Dealers Association of America
220 East 57th Street
New York, NY 10022
Phone: 212-826-9707
Fax: 212-319-0471
https://www.naadaa.org
Appraisers Association of America
212 West 35th Street
11th Floor South
New York, NY 10001
Phone: 212-889-5404 x10
Fax: 212-889-5503
https://www.appraisersassoc.org
Private Art Dealers Association
P.O. Box 872, Lenox Hill Station
New York, NY 10021
Phone: 917-302-3087
https://www.privateartdealers.org
IFAR Authentication Research Service
500 Fifth Avenue, Suite 935
New York, NY 10110
Phone: 212-391-6234
https://www.ifar.org/authentication.php