Access and Hours
GUIDELINES FOR ADMISSION
The Thomas J. Watson Library’s primary mission is to support the research needs of the Museum’s staff; in addition, the library serves an international community of scholars.
Reading privileges in Watson Library are extended to Museum staff and visiting researchers wishing to do art historical or related research who are college-level and older.
Registration with photo ID is required. All library users must check coats, bags larger than 9 x 12 x 3 in. and laptop cases at the coat check or in the lockers in Watson Library.
The Watson Library is a closed stack (non-browsing) and non-circulating collection devoted primarily to art history. Requested books are paged for visitors and must be used in the library.
Researchers may use the Watson Library without paying Museum admission; to do so they must request a pass at the Reception Desk at the main entrance at Fifth Avenue and 82nd St.
Researchers who would prefer to use a browsing collection are welcome in the Nolen Library in the Uris Center for Education, on the Ground Floor of the Museum (http://www.metmuseum.org/education/er_lib.asp#uri).
The Watson Library is located on the first floor of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
WATSON LIBRARY HOURS
Watson Library will be closed on Friday, February 12th, Saturday, February 13th and Monday, February 15th.
Public Hours:
Weekdays: Tuesday–Thursday 9:30 a.m.–5:15 p.m.; Friday 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; paging until 4:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.; paging until 1:45 p.m., September-July (closed Saturdays in August and on September 5, 2009), and on the Saturdays of holiday weekends.
Closed on national and staff holidays, including Election Day and the day after Thanksgiving; the library closes at 3:00 p.m. on the Fridays before holiday weekends.
Appointments are not necessary.
Staff Hours:
Weekdays: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; paging until 4:00 p.m.; stacks close at 5:45 p.m.
Saturdays: 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.; September-July (closed Saturdays in August and on September 5, 2009), and on the Saturdays of holiday weekends.
Closed on all staff holidays; the library closes at 3:00 p.m. on the Fridays before holiday weekends.
Telephone: Reference Desk: 212-650-2225, Circulation Desk: 212-650-2175
Fax: 212-570-3847; email: Reference: watson.library@metmuseum.org, Circulation: circulation.desk@metmuseum.org
Watson Library’s electronic workstations are reserved for scholarly research purposes only and are not for recreational or personal use.
