How do I find out if the Library has a book or journal I want?
Choose either title or journal title and type in the full title of the book or journal you are looking for.
You will get a list of results. The title you want may not be the first one so look at all the results.
For more details on how to find a specific title, click here.
How do I find what books or journals you have on a subject?
Type a word or words into the search box. E.g. diabetes new york city
You have the book I want to see. Can I come and look at it?
Yes, we are open to the public by appointment. Please check our hours.
How can I tell if the book I want to see is in the main library or in the rare book collection?
Books that have a class mark of RB or RBS are located in the rare book collection and you must make an appointment to visit the rare book room to see them. In addition, books that have a class mark of S are part of our Historical Collections and must also be used in the Coller Rare Book Reading Room. Books that are listed as RB followed by a regular call number are part of our current history of medicine collection and may be used in the main library. If you have a question about whether your book is located in the rare book collection, please use the contact information on our hours page to contact a rare book librarian for assistance.
Can I do this from home?
You can look at the catalog to see what we have from anywhere. Go to the Library homepage and click on catalog under Search our Collections. You can call or email us to request an appointment and tell us which books and journals you want to look at.
How do I get the book (or journal) I want?
There are 2 ways:
Can I take a book home?
No, our books do not circulate.
Can I photocopy an article or pages from a book?
We will make copies for you as there are no public copiers. We charge 25¢ a page. If the article is available electronically online we charge 10¢ a page.
In some instances, if an item is too fragile to copy, a member of the rare book room staff will make a pdf and email it to you at a cost of 25¢ a page.
Will someone help me when I get to the Library?
Yes, a librarian is available to help you with your research and getting the books and journals you want.
Library Patrons
Due to a planned renovation project, the Coller Rare Book Reading Room will be closed to readers from February 1, 2013. We anticipate that the room will reopen for use on June 1 2013.
Please contact history@nyam.org or 212-822-7313 with queries. We will do our best to accommodate readers and reference requests, but please note that some parts of the collection will not be accessible, response times will be slower and appointment times may be limited.
