Frequently Asked Questions

Admission and Use | Collections and Research | Services

Museum FAQ

Admission and Use

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 laptop computers allowed at the Library?
Is wireless Internet access available at the Library?
Can I request items in advance of visiting the Library?

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Who can use the Frick Art Reference Library?

The Library is open free of charge to visitors 16 years of age or older.

Do I need to be a member of The Frick Collection to use the Library?

No.

How do I use the Library?

First-time visitors are asked to bring a photo ID. Use of the Library requires registration. Library cards are for use by the individuals to whom they are issued. They are non-transferable. By accepting the cards, researchers agree to follow the policies of the Library. To register and for more information about admission and use of the Library, see Visit > Library > Admission

Note: The reading room of the Library is closed until early 2021, when we open at Frick Madison, our temporary home during our renovation project.

Can I register online?

Online registration is available. To register, see the Registration Form. For more information about admission and use of the Library, see Visit > Library > Admission

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 reading room of the Library is closed until early 2021, when we open at Frick Madison, our temporary home during our renovation project.

Can I bring my child or infant to the Library?

The Library is open only to visitors 16 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 Library?

Purses or bags that exceed the dimensions of 9” x 12” x 3” must be checked. All laptop and camera cases must be checked. Luggage is not permitted and will not be checked.

Can I wear my coat or other outerwear while conducting research at the Library?

All coats and other outerwear must be checked.

Can I bring a work of art into the Reading Room?

No artworks will be checked. Artworks less than 24" x 24" can be brought to the Reading Room only with the prior permission of the Andrew W. Mellon Chief Librarian or the Associate Chief Librarian, Access. Art more than 24" x 24" is not permitted in the Reading Room. Email library@frick.org to request permission. 

Can I have lunch at the Library?

All food, drinks (including water), candy, and gum are not permitted in the reading room and other public areas. A drinking fountain is available.

Can I use a camera or digital camera at the Library?

The Library allows the use of digital cameras in the reading room.

Can I use highlighters, sticky notes, or other office supplies at the Library?

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 laptop and tablet computers allowed at the Library?

Yes.

Is wireless Internet access available at the Library?

Wireless Internet access is available in the reading room for researchers who have computers with wireless capabilities. Ask at the Information 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.

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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 read a Photoarchive photo mount? 
How do I cite the Photoarchive?

Does the Library accept gifts?
How can I support the Library?
Who designed and constructed the Library building located at 10 East 71st Street?

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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 Arcade, the catalog of the New York Art Resources Consortium (NYARC). Arcade brings together the holdings of the Library and the libraries of The Museum of Modern Art and the Brooklyn Museum. In addition to Arcade, NYARC Discovery is available for accessing Arcade holdings as well as online journal articles, digitized books, and born-digital art research materials such as website collections.

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 > Library > Admission

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 Libary'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 the E-Resources Finder.

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.

What is the Photoarchive?

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 access 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.

How do I read a Photoarchive photo mount?

See the photo mount handout for more information. 

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 the 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.

Who designed and constructed the Library building located at 10 East 71st Street?

See the architecture and construction information handout for more information. 

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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?
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?

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How do I ask a research-related question?

To ask a research question, see Research > Library > Ask a Question

Can I make scans or photocopies from Library materials?
 
The Library offers self-serve, scanning services in the reading room.
 
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 lending and use of this service is limited to registered researchers. To place a request, see the Interlibrary Loan. For more information about access and use of the Library, see Visit > Library > Admission.
 
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
http://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
http://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
http://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
http://www.ifar.org/authentication.php

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