Planning Your Visit

New Library Visit Protocols and Appointment Procedures

Location & Hours

The Grolier Club Library is located at 47 East 60th Street, New York City (between Park and Madison Avenues).


The Library is closed in August, and on the following holidays: Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day and the Friday following, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.

Guidelines for Researchers

Appointments and Requests

**Masks are not required but are welcome for any members and researchers using the Library.


—Research use of the Library is by appointment for non-members, made at least one business day in advance, by contacting Librarian Jamie Cumby ([email protected]). Phone: 212-838-6690. This includes visitors who wish only to use the computer terminals. All appointments are subject to availability.  
—Up to ten items may be requested per visit as long as sufficient advance notice is provided (this includes current bookseller and auction catalogues; 1 archival box=1 item).
—A prepared list, including call numbers, of the items the visitor wishes to consult must be provided in advance via phone or email. *Please note: items that are stored off-site may require up to 3 business days’ advance notice. 
—Only necessary paper, laptop computers, and reference materials are permitted in the main reading room. Belongings may be subject to search before leaving.  

Use of Materials                         
—All visitors must wash their hands before and after handling material (a restroom is located right next to the library). 
—Hand sanitizer is not allowed for visitors handling Library materials. Water-based hand sanitizer will be provided at computer terminals. High touch surfaces will be disinfected regularly.    
—Readers must leave Library materials on the reading room table or library cart; they will be re-shelved by Library staff.
—Visitors and staff will not wear gloves in the Reading Room unless working with photographs, metal, plaster, or certain other bindings. (See "Browsing and Circulation Policies" below.)
—All readers are asked to use pencil; pens are prohibited. Pencils are available in the main reading room. Do not mark, erase, lean on, write on, or trace any materials. 
—Items in envelopes or folders must be kept in the order they are arranged. Please advise the Librarian of misplaced or missing items. 
—Some collections or parts of collections may contain restricted materials. Permission to use restricted materials may be addressed to the Librarian.

Browsing and Circulation Policies 
—Materials do not circulate and must not be removed from the main reading room. 
—Browsing is allowed for members in the Library reading room, 4th floor Morris Room and the 5th floor Council Room. No gloves may be worn while browsing materials.
—The Grolier Club Library does not participate in Interlibrary Loan. Library collections do not circulate, and all materials must be used in the Library reading room. Portions of some materials may be made available through photocopying and digital photography (see "Photography and Scanning Services," "Photocopying Services" and "Researcher Photography" below).

Research Services 

—Depending on staff availability, the Library may conduct up to 30 minutes of research in our collection on a patron's behalf at no charge. For inquiries requiring more in-depth research, the Librarian may hire, if available, a research assistant at $22 hour at the patron's expense. Please contact the Librarian Jamie Cumby, [email protected], 212-838-6690.

Photography and Scanning Services 
—At the discretion of the Librarian, staff members will fulfill limited photography and scanning requests for research purposes depending on staff availability and the condition of the item. Requests are decided on a case by case basis, but the Library will generally scan up to 25 pages of material for free. Larger requests will have a $22 per hour charge. Please contact the Librarian, Jamie Cumby, [email protected], 212-838-6690.
—The Library will reproduce copyrighted material only within the principle of "fair use," and the patron shall assume all responsibility in questions regarding copyright of Library materials. 
—If publication quality photographs are needed, please contact the Librarian, Jamie Cumby, [email protected], 212-838-6690.

Photocopying Services
—Materials may be photocopied only by the Library staff. Some materials may not be photocopied at all, including rare books, folios, fragile materials, and oversize and bound manuscripts. Consult the Librarian regarding possible alternatives, including photography. Charges at the Library’s current photocopying and photography services rate may apply.

Researcher Photography
—Researchers may take non-flash digital photographs of select library materials with the permission of the Librarian. Photographs may be used for personal reference and research purposes only. The researcher accepts full responsibility for determining whether or not U.S. copyright law protects the materials being photographed and whether or not his or her use exceeds the limits of the law. 
          

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