Humanities and Social Sciences Library > Collections & Reading Rooms > The Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection

Access to the Collection

While no appointment is necessary to consult with Pforzheimer Collection staff during public service hours, advance notification is required to examine most material. An Access card, obtainable in Room 315, is required for admission. Readers may begin the application process for an Access card online through this link: http://www.nypl.org/research/general/access.html. After consulting with a librarian in Room 315 readers will register at the Collection for a card of admission, ordinarily good for six months.

No food or drink is permitted in the collection, nor is mobile phone use permitted. Bags, purses, coats, jackets, hats, and any other items deemed inappropriate by the Pforzheimer staff must be checked in the cloakroom on the first floor. Laptops, notebooks, pencils, and (with staff approval) books needed for your research are permitted. Paper and pencils will be provided if necessary.

Materials may be informally requested in advance through the reference address, pforzref@nypl.org. Please obtain the fullest possible citations from CATNYP before writing; feel free to simply cut and paste citations from the catalogue. In addition, readers must, on arrival, fill out call slips for each item, writing legibly and giving a complete address on each. Paging is carried out as quickly as staffing allows.