The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts > Collections > Music Division

Offsite Collections

In order to provide space for growing collections, the NYPL Research Libraries are housing materials at a shelving facility in Plainsboro, NJ, operated jointly with Columbia University and Princeton University. A courier service delivers material to the Research Libraries before opening time Tuesday - Friday.

Identifying offsite collections:

Material is identified in the online catalog (CATNYP) by the location "OFFSITE – Request in Advance".

CATNYP Screen Shot

Delivery schedule:

An item will be delivered the next business day (Tuesday - Friday) if the request is placed before 3:30 p.m.

Items requested after 3:30 p.m. will arrive two business days later. Items requested after 3:30 p.m. on Thursday will be available the following Tuesday.

Requesting material:

If an item you want is "Offsite", fill out a green recap slip at the Music desk. Staff will place the request and tell you when you can expect the item to arrive. You may call before returning to the Library to confirm that the item has been delivered.

You may also phone or e-mail requests for offsite materials. Exact call numbers are required. Contact the Music Division if you need assistance (212) 870-1650.

To place requests: lpaprintdelivery@nypl.org (212) 870-1844
For assistance: musicdiv@nypl.org (212) 870-1650

Electronic delivery:

A single article or book chapter of up to 50 pages can be delivered electronically, if you have an e-mail address. The document will be scanned and posted on a website. You will be notified by e-mail when the item is available, and given a URL and Personal Identification Number (PIN) to access it. The item will remain online for two weeks. You must have a complete citation for the pages you want, including start and end page numbers. Send an e-mail with this information or, if you are in the Library, bring the request to the information desk. If your request cannot be filled electronically, the item will be delivered to the Library and held on reserve for you for two weeks.