The Mary R. Schiff Library & Archives

Open Thursday–Friday and 2nd Saturdays (September-June)

11 a.m.–5 p.m. | By appointment only

To request an appointment or ask a question email [email protected]. Please provide details about the information you are trying to find or the resources you would like to use.

Appointments are limited to 2 hours.

Please note: A separate reservation is needed to visit the galleries.

The library’s shelves are not available to browse, and all books and resources must be requested from the reference librarian. Materials are quarantined for 96 hours after use.

At present, the entry to the library only through the Castellini entrance (in front of the Pinocchio sculpture), where there is a direct access by elevator. All visitors to the museum have their temperature taken on arrival and masks are required. For more information on the museum’s health and safety procedures, please visit: https://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/visit/

Founded in 1881, the Mary R. Schiff Library has an extensive collection of over 100,000 items spanning 6,000 years of human artistic creativity, including decorative arts, fashion, and photography. The collection includes books, reference resources, periodicals, ephemera files, auction catalogs, and online databases. The library also has a unique assortment of materials on Cincinnati art and artists.

View the Online Catalog

(Select Location: Cincinnati Art Museum Library)

Please note that all materials are for use in the library only and may not be checked out.

Take our library survey

Contact Information

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (513) 639-2978