Stephen A. Schwarzman Building Tours
With nearly 53 million items, the New York Public Library, known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, is the second largest public library in the United States, and fourth largest in the world.
All group tours must be scheduled in advance. Unauthorized tours are not permitted. Contact tours@nypl.org for more information.
Docent-led tours are an excellent way to see highlights of The New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. The Library offers tours of the building as well as exhibitions. Free docent-guided tours for walk-in visitors are available. All group tours must be scheduled in advance. Unauthorized tours are not permitted.
Building Tours
Free one-hour tours of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building begin at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Mondays to Saturdays.
Please note that the library is closed on Sundays during the summer. Tours meet at the reception desk in Astor Hall.Tours are available on a first come basis and are limited to 25 people.
Exhibition Tours
Free docent-led tours of exhibitions in the Gottesman Exhibition Hall are given Monday through Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. for current exhibitions. Please note that the library is closed on Sundays during the summer. Exhibition tours meet outside the entrance to Gottesman Hall.
Group Tours
Group tours of the building, exhibitions, or customized tours for 10 or more visitors are available by appointment only and must be scheduled in advance. Group tour fees:
$10 per person ($7 for seniors); no charge for full-time students. Call 212.930.0650 or email tours@nypl.org for reservations and further information.
Access for Persons with Disabilities
All public service units of the Library are wheelchair accessible. A ramp entrance to the building is located at the 42nd Street entrance. All levels of the building are accessible by an elevator at the north end of the building.
Schomburg Center For Research in Black Culture Tours
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture of The New York Public Library is generally recognized as the world’s leading research library devoted exclusively to documenting the history and cultural development of peoples of African descent worldwide. From its founding in 1925 during the Harlem Renaissance, the Center has amassed vast collections of over 10 million items.
Resource materials are organized by format into five distinct divisions: Research and Reference; Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books; Photographs and Prints; Moving Image and Recorded Sound; and Art and Artifacts. A cultural center as well as a repository, the Schomburg Center also sponsors a wide array of interpretive programs, including exhibitions, scholarly and public forums and cultural performances.
Self-Guided Tours (All Ages)
Self-guided groups that prefer to visit any of our exhibitions without a guide are encouraged to do so, but reservations are still required for groups of 15 or more. Please download the Self-Guided Tour Packet. We welcome individuals, schools, organizations, or companies to tour the facility and exhibition spaces.
Self-Guided Tours are available from Monday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Guided Tours (Grade 4 and up)
Guided Tours are available on a limited basis Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours are by appointment only. To make an appointment, please complete the Tour Request Form. Please fax to 212-491-6760 or email the completed form to schomburgtours@nypl.org.
Guided Tours must be scheduled a minimum of 30 days in advance. Guided Tours are limited to 30 people per group. Scheduled tours are usually 30 to 60 minutes depending on exhibition content.
Please remember that if you are more than 30 minutes late for a scheduled tour there is no guarantee that your tour will be guided. Groups may schedule a video with our Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division. For more information, please call 212-491-2236.
Confirmation: If your tour has been confirmed, you will receive a confirmation form within 7 days (business days). Please present your confirmation form at the security desk when you arrive at the Schomburg Center.
Exhibition Hours
Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more about our current exhibitions.
Admission
Admission is free for the exhibitions at the Schomburg; however, donations are welcomed.
Please note there are no guided tours on Saturdays
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