Museum

Thomas J. Watson Library

The Libraries of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

  • Watson Library

    Register here to use the Library.

    For Visitors:
    Tuesday 9:30–5:15
    Wednesday 9:30–5:15
    Thursday 9:30–5:15
    Friday 9:30–6:00
    Saturday 10:00-2:00

    For Museum Staff:
    Monday-Friday 9:00–6:00
    Saturday 10:00-2:00

    Paging ends
    at 3:30pm on weekdays
    at 1:30pm on Saturdays
    See paging times.

    See Access and Hours for more detailed information and Holiday Closings.

  • Nolen Library

    Monday (staff only) 9:00-5:00
    Tuesday-Thursday 9:00-5:00
    (visitors: 9:30-5:00)
    Friday 9:00-6:00
    (visitors: 9:30-6:00)
    Saturday 10:00-6:00
    Sunday 10:00-5:00

    See the Nolen Library page for more detailed information on regular hours and holiday closings.

Filed under: Research

How can I learn about a work in the Museum’s collection?

Starting Points

  1. Search the Museum’s Collection Database, which may include a description, provenance and bibliography in addition to images of the work.
  2. Search the Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History’s Works of Art page. It is composed of the nearly 6,000 works featured on the Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History and does not include all of the works in the Museum’s collection. You can also search the Timeline for bibliographies, thematic essays, world maps and timelines.
  3. Check the following resources available at the Watson and Nolen Libraries by searching WATSONLINE, the library catalog:
  • Collection and exhibition catalogs of the permanent collection (search WATSONLINE). These are shelved in the reference collections of Watson and Nolen Libraries.
  • The Museum’s Bulletin and Journal

4. Please visit the Reference Desk or email us at watson.library@metmuseum.org for additional information.