Stephen A. Schwarzman Building > Collections & Reading Rooms > Art & Architecture Collection

Reference Correspondence Policy

The Art & Architecture Collection of the Miriam & Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs follows Research Libraries policy regarding reference inquiries received by mail, fax, and e-mail. According to this policy we may respond to requests about Library holdings and for information on a subject within an area of the Library's responsibility. Requests which require more in-depth research may be directed to the Library's fee-based information service, NYPL Express. Requests for document delivery, including copies of articles, are forwarded to NYPL Express. Requests for photographic reproduction or microfilm copies are forwarded to Photographic Services and Permissions.

Many questions concerning holdings, hours, etc. may be answered by consulting the Library's web pages. Current and retrospective book and periodical collections of the Art & Architecture Collection can be found by searching the Research Libraries' online public catalog, CATNYP.

Because of the demands on staff time, The Research Libraries must limit the number of requests to be answered. The Wallach Art & Architecture Collection staff, which is heavily committed to onsite public service duties and therefore cannot engage in extensive art and architecture research for correspondents. Among the services we can provide:

check The Research Libraries holdings for specific titles

refer inquirers to holdings of other libraries

suggest a research approach to the reader's query

look for an individual artist in the Artists Files of The Research Library

We can also answer general reference inquiries relating to art history, architectural history, and the decorative arts. The Art & Architecture Collection does not cover arms and armour, military uniforms, theater architecture and design, Pre-Columbian, Mesoamerican, and Native American art and culture, architectural construction and codes, and structures that are the products of engineering: bridges, transportation buildings (train stations, airports), and sports complexes. These subjects are covered in other collections of the New York Public Libraries; a Subject Guide and Directory to the collections is available.

Please direct questions about photography and photographic processes to the email address: phgref@nypl.org of The Photography Collection

Direct your questions about theater architecture, film, television and animation to the email address: theatrediv@nypl.org of The Billy Rose Theater Collection

Direct questions about prints, printmakers, artists books, and caricatures to the address: prnref@nypl.org of The Print Collection

Among the art reference services we cannot provide:

picture research identifying the source or ownership of an image or work of art

appraisals or auction sales prices for books or works of art

information on an artist whose complete name is not provided

copies of articles or the Artist Files: NYPL Express offers this service for a fee.

Correspondence is answered in order of receipt, i.e. faxed or e-mailed requests do not receive priority over mailed requests. Due to the heavy volume of requests coming to the Wallach Art & Architecture Collection, correspondents are asked to consider the needs of their fellow researchers and refrain from submitting multiple requests.