New York, NY 10037
Day | Hours |
---|---|
Monday | 10 AM–6 PM |
Tuesday | 10 AM–6 PM |
Wednesday | 10 AM–6 PM |
Thursday | 10 AM–6 PM |
Friday | 10 AM–6 PM |
Saturday | 10 AM–6 PM |
Sunday | CLOSED |
Day | Date | Hours |
---|---|---|
Monday | 7/4 | CLOSED |
Tuesday | 6/28 | 10 AM–6 PM |
Wednesday | 6/29 | 10 AM–6 PM |
Thursday | 6/30 | 10 AM–6 PM |
Friday | 7/1 | 10 AM–6 PM |
Saturday | 7/2 | CLOSED |
Sunday | 7/3 | CLOSED |
Visit the Schomburg Center
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, one of The New York Public Library’s renowned research libraries, is a world-leading cultural institution devoted to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences.
To learn about the Center’s research divisions, schedule an appointment, or find out about other services, see our resources for researchers. Please note: Division hours may vary.
Explore our exhibitions Been Seen and Boundless: 10 Years of Seeding Black Comic Futures. Both are open 10 AM—5:30 PM, Monday to Saturday. Plus, see our outdoor banner exhibition, We Were Beautiful Then, Too: Late 19th Century African American Cabinet Cards at St. Nicholas Park in Harlem.
Visit the Schomburg Shop to see clothing, jewelry, and books for all ages created by Black and Brown artists. It's open Tuesday to Saturday 11 AM—5:45 PM. The Shop will be closed for inventory Thursday, June 30 through Saturday, July 2.
Though there are no guided tours at this time, we are working diligently to restore this key service to visitors in summer 2022. Please continue to check this page and the Schomburg Tours page for updates and more information.
Masks are strongly recommended in the Schomburg Center and all NYPL locations.
Schomburg Center Literary Festival
Our fourth annual Schomburg Center Literary Festival on June 18 continued the Center's long tradition of championing authors of African descent from across the globe and publications that celebrate Black history and culture.
Participating writers included Jason Reynolds (Stunt Boy, Miles Morales: Spider-Man, Patina, Ghost) and Roxane Gay (Hunger, Bad Feminist, Difficult Women), and many more.
Pre-festival programming included “Critical Thought: An Evening of Selected Works by Greg Tate” and “The Black Librarian in America: Reflections, Resistance, and Reawakening.” Both are available to view online. All Literary Festival programs will be available to view at a later date. Learn more.
Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation is the Lead Sponsor of the Schomburg Center Literary Festival. Major sponsorship support is provided by Corbin Capital Partners, L.P.
Pride Month | Highlighting Black LGBTQ+ Voices
June is Pride Month. It’s a terrific time to learn more about the authors, activists, filmmakers, and performers who are part of LGBTQ+ history. See our research guide, Exploring Black LGBTQ Studies in the Schomburg Center's Archive, to find out materials in our collections on activists such as Stormé DeLarverié, Bill Gunn, and Ada “Bricktop” Smith. Learn more.
Black Music Month | Hear Albums by Some of the Artists Featured on Verzuz
In addition to Pride Month, June is also Black Music Month. Celebrate Verzuz style! In the online series, two legendary artists or groups square off by playing their biggest hits in a virtual battle. Past matchups have included: Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight; Earth, Wind & Fire and The Isley Brothers; Chaka Khan and Stephanie Mills; and Bobby Brown and Keith Sweat.
Our Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division has some of their albums in its collections. Explore the liner notes, artwork, and more. Learn more.
In the Spotlight
-
Arthur Ashe: Champion for Equality on & off the Tennis Courts
On June 26, CNN will air the documentary Citizen Ashe, which looks at the activism, career, and life of Arthur Ashe. The Center is home to Ashe's archives if you are inspired to learn more about him. Our 2021 blog post discusses the photographs, audio/visual materials, personal papers, and more in his collections.
-
Watch Past Spring 2022 Programs Online
If you missed our 10th Annual Black Comic Book Festival or would like to watch our Black Feminists Series again, those past programs—and more—are available to view online.
-
Explore Past Schomburg Center Exhibitions and Multimedia Projects
If you missed past in person exhibitions such as Traveling While Black, Been Seen, or Showing Out, you can see them online. Plus, view past multimedia projects produced by students in our Junior Scholars Program such as 'Til We Free and By Any Means Necessary.
-
Open Now! Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library's Treasures
NYPL's first-ever permanent exhibition is now open at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, featuring items from our historic collections. Reserve your free timed tickets now!
-
Sign up for Schomburg Connection
Get updates on our public programs, research guides, and more in our e-newsletter.
Featured at the Schomburg Center
-
Visit the Schomburg Shop
The Schomburg Shop is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 AM to 5 PM for in-person shopping. Or, you can shop online.
-
From Our Blog
Read blog posts from the librarians, staff, and fellows at the Schomburg Center.
-
Public Programs
The Schomburg Center advances knowledge of the global Black experience through dynamic programs and exhibitions.
-
Digital Schomburg
Access exhibitions, podcasts, videos, books, images, and more about the global Black experience 24/7.
-
Support the Schomburg Center
Schomburg Society members receive discounts, invitations to exclusive events, and more!
-
In the News
Read news stories featuring interviews with Schomburg Center curators, librarians, and staff.
Current Exhibitions
-
We Were Beautiful Then, Too: Late 19th Century African American Cabinet Cards
OngoingSchomburg Center for Research in Black CultureIn the 19th century, African Americans harnessed the power of photography to claim a self-possessed identity in line with middle class…
-
Been Seen
OngoingSchomburg Center for Research in Black CultureHighlighting the work of Harlem-based photographer Austin Hansen (1910 -1996) and the experiences of Black photographers to illuminate the… -
Boundless: 10 Years of Seeding Black Comic Futures
OngoingSchomburg Center for Research in Black CultureThe exhibition celebrates the tenth anniversary of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture’s Black Comic Book Festival and…
About the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem is one of the world’s leading cultural institutions devoted to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences. As a research division of The New York Public Library, the Schomburg Center features diverse programming and collections spanning over 11 million items that illuminate the richness of global Black history, arts, and culture.
Learn more about this location Learn about capital construction projects at this location