Nolen Library is open to all Museum visitors, without appointment, and welcomes readers of all ages to consult a wide range of materials about the Museum's collection, exhibitions, and the history of art. The library's collection of over ten thousand items, arranged on open shelves, includes general histories of art, artists' monographs, exhibition catalogues, periodicals, graphic novels, and art-related videos. All material must be used in the library, with the exception of educator resources (see below). The library also offers onsite access to extensive online resources, wireless access, and color scanners.
Children's Reading Room
The Children's Reading Room in Nolen Library features a collection of over five hundred picture books and an array of books in world languages, as well as computers with art-related games, activities, and stories. Families with children ages eighteen months through seven years may also enjoy Storytime in Nolen Library, offered almost daily throughout the week.
Materials for Educators
Nolen Library provides curriculum resources and other material to assist educators in planning class visits and in incorporating art and art history into their teaching. Upon onsite registration, current eligible teachers and community group leaders may check out these materials. Some of these educational materials may be purchased in The Met Store.
Many curriculum resources, lesson plans, and school group self-guides may also be downloaded from the Museum's website. Materials for children, including a family guide about the book From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg, are also available.
Teachers may arrange to bring groups to the library, by appointment; contact the library in advance.
For more information about the library, call 212-570-3788 or email nolen.library@metmuseum.org.
Nolen Library is located in the Ruth and Harold D. Uris Center for Education on the ground floor near the Museum's 81st Street entrance.
Hours
For visitors and Museum staff: Open 7 days a week, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
See the Library Portal for holiday closures.
Follow us on Facebook and Pinterest, and see the Museum libraries' blog, In Circulation.
