High school students reading in Nolen Library
«Conveniently located on the ground floor in the Uris Center for Education is one of the Met's lesser-known gems: Nolen Library. Open to all visitors, Nolen Library welcomes readers of all ages to explore a wide range of materials about the Museum's collection, exhibitions, programs, and the history of art.»
Current exhibition catalogues on display and open shelves for easy browsing
Want to learn more about that painting you just saw or the artist that piqued your interest? Working on a school assignment? Or just love libraries and want to browse? We have resources for all types of readers.
Scanners for visitors to scan and save resources from Nolen Libray's collections
Nolen Library's collection of over ten thousand items—all arranged on open shelves—includes books surveying art history, books on individual artists, exhibition catalogues, periodicals, graphic novels, and art-related videos. The library also offers free Wi-Fi, color scanners, and onsite access to many online resources. Nolen Library staff is happy to help you navigate the library's collection, the Museum's website, and WATSONLINE, the online catalog of the Museum's libraries, to find what you need.
Young visitors ready to enjoy a picture book together
Nolen Library is also a great place to visit together as a family. The Children's Reading Room features a collection of over six hundred picture books in English and other languages, as well as computers that provide art-related games, activities, and stories. Come read together or join us for Storytime in Nolen Library—a lively Family Program offered throughout the week for families with children ages 18 months–7 years.
Librarians Leah High and Meg Black exploring Art of the Islamic World, part of Nolen Library's extensive collection of resources for educators
Are you an educator? Nolen Library provides curriculum resources and other materials to assist educators in planning class visits and in incorporating art and art history into their teaching. Current teachers and community group leaders may register onsite to borrow these materials, and many curriculum resources, lesson plans, and pre-visit guides may be downloaded directly from the Met's website. Teachers are welcome to bring groups to the library; just contact us in advance to make arrangements.
High school students having fun with pop-up books
Nolen Library can help you tap into your creative side. Discover artistic inspiration and instructional resources on various media and techniques, then learn about art-making opportunities happening at the Museum.
Visitors investigating resources on decorative arts
So whether you are curious to learn more about the Museum's collection, you want to spend time reading with a child, or you just love libraries, we invite you to visit Nolen Library as part of your Museum experience.
Questions? Email us at 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, and is open daily to Museum visitors from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. See the Library Portal for holiday closures and more information about the Thomas J. Watson Library and The Libraries of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.