Research Services | Sherman Fairchild Reading Room | FAQs

1. Who uses The Morgan Library & Museum's Sherman Fairchild Reading Room?

The primary function of the Reading Room is to serve readers who demonstrate a need to consult the Morgan's rare materials, which have as their principal focus the history, art, and literature of the Western world. They do not circulate. The Morgan makes them as accessible as possible for research, though within the limits set by their rarity and fragility. Our policies and procedures have been established to ensure that these irreplaceable materials will continue to be available for research by future generations. The Morgan also owns many non-circulating reference materials, such as facsimile editions, microfilms, and bibliographic works not readily available elsewhere. Researchers are welcome to follow our standard application procedures to view these materials.

2. Do I need an appointment to use the Reading Room?

Yes. The Reading Room is open by appointment only to researchers whose application for admission and request to consult materials has been approved as described in sections 4 and 5 below. Please request an appointment by email to: , fax: (212) 768-5615, or telephone: (212) 590-0315.

We accommodate as many readers as possible each day, but space is limited and demand is high. We suggest at least two to three weeks' advance notice in order to avoid disappointment. If your application is approved, we will confirm your appointment and send you the information you need to enter the building. Please note that when you come to the Reading Room, you must bring a valid form of photo identification such as a driver's license or passport.

3. What are the Reading Room's hours?

Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

4. What is required to do research in the Reading Room?

If you are applying for the first time or previously visited more than one year in the past, you must submit an "Application for Reader's Privileges" with a description of your research project. It may be submitted electronically, by fax ((212) 768-5615), or by mail to the address below. A letter of reference from a professional colleague or from an academic advisor may be required for consultation of certain rare materials. Please note that we only accept letters with a signature sent by fax, mail, or as a PDF attachment to an email. Each request for access to rare materials must be reviewed by a curator in the department that has responsibility for those materials. Access to rare materials is not granted without appropriate curatorial approval. If the rarity or fragility of an object requires, the applicant will be asked to consult secondary materials, such as microfilms or facsimiles, before examining the original materials.

5. Do I have to submit an application and a letter of reference if I have previously used the Reading Room?

No. New applications are needed only if you have not used the Reading Room during the last calendar year or if your information has changed since your last visit. Reference letters are good forever. An appointment, however, is always required.

6. How do I prepare for a Reading Room visit?

In advance of your visit, please send us a list of the materials you would like to consult. We will have the materials ready when you arrive, provided that curatorial approval has been granted.

Please consult the Morgan's online catalog, CORSAIR to identify the items that you wish to consult. Please include the author, title, accession number, and call number.

We recommend the following method for compiling your list:

1. When your search has resulted in a "Titles List," click once on each record you are considering to see the full record
2. In order to make the selections for your request list, return to the "Titles List" and click once in the box to the left of the record to select a title
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen to "Record Options"
4. Select "Brief Record" from the drop-down menu
5. Click on the "Format for Print/Save" box
6. Copy and paste the record(s) into your

See example of a CORSAIR screen display for a Titles List

See example of a CORSAIR screen display for an item

Example of Brief Record to include in an e-mail to the Reading Room:

Please note that item-by-item descriptions are not included in CORSAIR records for archival collections. Please contact the Reading Room for further information if you wish to consult an archival collection.

For further information and for appointments, please

Sherman Fairchild Reading Room
The Morgan Library & Museum
225 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016-3405
Phone: (212) 590-0315
Fax: (212) 768-5615

CORSAIR, the Morgan's online collection catalog, is available here.