Special Collections Center

NYU Special Collections is open for in-person research appointments. To schedule an appointment, please ensure you have an active Special Collections Research Account (SCRA).

Appointment slots do book quickly, so please schedule as far in advance as possible. We are unable to accommodate walk-in visitors

For NYU Cardholders:

Appointments must be scheduled at least three business days in advance, we will confirm your appointment via email. Appointments are scheduled via your Special Collections Research Account when you submit your research requests.

For External Researchers (Without an Active NYU ID Card):

All non-NYU researchers must follow the instructions for researchers to request access to library buildings and services. Appointments must be scheduled at least three business days in advance. We will confirm your appointment via email. We are unable to accommodate walk-in visitors.

The NYU Special Collections Center co-locates services for all our special collections including:

• Fales Library
• Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
• University Archives

Researchers can request materials from all three repositories and use them in one place. Learn more about our collections

The Center offers our community new spaces to engage with the collections including a shared reading room, dedicated classrooms, and enhanced gallery spaces.

Plan Your Visit to Our Reading Room

How to Get Started

Use of all Special Collections materials is appointment only.

Please make appointments at least 3 business days in advance of your visit.

• Register online for a Special Collections Research Account (SCRA) before your visit.

• You can use this account to schedule appointments and request materials to be pulled for your visit. Please note there is a request limit of up to 6 boxes, or books, per appointment date.

Please email scra@nyu.edu for more information.

Reading Room Guidelines

• Lockers are provided outside the reading room to store your personal belongings while you are working in the reading room. You are welcome to go back and forth to your locker as needed.
• All cell phones must be on silent.
• Photography of collection material is permitted on a case-by-case basis. Users must review and sign our photography agreement.
• The flash on your camera or phone must be turned off.

What Can Be Brought Into the Reading Room?

Yes

• Pencils
• Laptops (without cases)
• Cell phone on silent with flash disabled
• Camera with flash disabled
• Loose paper or 1 notebook
• Personal reference books or material, after checking them with Reading Room staff

No

• Ink pens
• Food and/or drink (including water)
• Backpack, purse, or any type of bag of any size
• Coat, jacket, or umbrella
• Pencil case
• Laptop case
• Any type of liquid or gel including hand sanitizer or moisturizer

Guest WiFi

NYU offers guest wifi access for non-NYU affiliated researchers. Staff members at the desk can provide you with registration details.

Handling of Materials

Please follow staff instructions on handling the collection material. Some standard rules to keep in mind:

• Books will be served one at a time. If you are using a book, please keep it in the cradle it is served on at all times. Use only the weights provided to hold open the pages. If you need assistance using the book, feel free to ask for help from a staff member.

• Fales manuscript material will be served one folder at a time. Please keep foldered material flat on the table and in the order you receive it in, turning the pages like you’re turning pages in a book.

• All other archival collections will be served one box at a time. Please take out one folder at a time, and use an out card to mark your place. You must keep foldered material flat on the table and in the order you receive it, turning the pages like you’re turning pages in a book.

• If the materials are housed in a binder, everything must stay flat on the table. Please do not take photographs or negatives out of the plastic sheets they are stored in. Binder contents must stay in the order that you receive them.

• You will be asked to wear gloves if you are handling unsleeved/loose photographs or negatives.

Thank you in advance for your understanding regarding these policies; your cooperation ensures the continued preservation and accessibility of these materials for future students, scholars, and researchers.

Special Collections Classrooms

Three multimedia classrooms support innovative, technology-enhanced teaching based on special collections.

Faculty Instructions

For more information about special collections classes or to schedule, please contact special.collections@nyu.edu. Please note that we may not be able to accommodate classes with less than 4 weeks notice.

Special Collections Galleries

The Special Collections Center has two self-contained exhibition galleries and a large reception area that doubles as gallery space. All three spaces feature rotating exhibitions of special collections content.

NYU community members can visit the galleries during our hours of operation. Members of the public should email special.collections@nyu.edu to make an appointment at least one business day in advance of their visit.