The library opened in 1961 as a key resource for supporting the museum’s educational and research mission and has since grown to become one of the nation’s premier centers for the advanced study of American art, photography, and history.
Focusing on the nation’s visual and artistic heritage, the library’s collection of 150,000 items offers researchers an extensive range of materials on American art and history from the early nineteenth century through the present. The collection emphasizes the museum’s art collecting and exhibition history, with particular strengths in the art of the American West and history of North American western exploration and expansion.
Learn more about the library's collections.
Reading Room Services and Guidelines
- A librarian is available at the reading room reference desk during public hours to assist you.
- A photocopier is available for onsite researchers for the cost of fifteen cents per page. Microform copies cost thirty-five cents per page. Printouts from computer printouts are fifteen cents per page. Digital scanning to email or flash drive is free (please bring your own drive).
- Two computers are available for public use.
- Free Wi-Fi is available.
- Bags 11-by-15 inches or larger must be checked at security.
- Library and archives material may not be checked out.
- Museum staff is not permitted to give monetary appraisals or opinions on works of art.
- Visitors should not bring original artwork into the museum.