Welcome to the online request system for the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library at the New-York Historical Society. This system allows researchers to have a single account for all three library departments, eliminating the need to register separately. In order to request an item, you must first identify yourself to the library's system by filling out the registration form.

Guidelines for Use of the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library Collections

Your care and support help us to maintain our collections for future generations. Thank you for your cooperation.

The library collections of the New-York Historical Society may be consulted by any researcher who 1) presents a current U.S. state driver's license, U.S. state non-driver ID, IDNYC card, or passport, 2) completes the library’s online registration form, and 3) agrees to the following guidelines. Students at the high school level or younger are encouraged to visit the library with an adult, such as a teacher or parent. Adherence to the following policies is a requirement for admittance to the reading room and use of the library's collections.

1. Registration
   • Appointments are required for all research. Contact us at LibraryAppts@nyhistory.org for more information.
   • The registration form is available through the library's online request system (https://nyhs.aeon.atlas-sys.com/aeon/) and must be completed before arrival. You will need to present a physical, current U.S. state driver's license, U.S. state non-driver ID, IDNYC card, or passport to complete your registration when you arrive for your appointment.
2. Security
   • The following items are allowed at research tables in the reading room:
     Laptops and tablets (without sleeves and cases), digital cameras, cell phones, and personal audio devices. Sheets of paper will be provided for taking notes. Exceptions may be requested to have up to 3 paper sheets of notes, if they are essential for your research. The sheets of paper must be approved and stamped by reference staff before beginning research.
   • Clear plastic bags will be provided wallets, medication, or other small/personal items. These bags must be visible at all times, placed on the reading room tables, apart from and not on top of materials from the collections.
   • All other personal belongings must be checked on the first floor, including: Bags of any size; laptop sleeves and cases; outerwear such as overcoats, raincoats, parkas, anoraks, and windbreakers; umbrellas; binders, folders, notebooks, index cards, and personal copies of books.
   • Layers of indoor clothing,such as sweaters and blazers, must be worn throughout your research visit, or checked.
   • All personal belongings are subject to inspection and search upon exiting the reading room.
   • To protect the safety and security of our collections, surveillance cameras are operating in the reading room at all times.
   • Do not leave library collections or personal property unattended in the reading room.
   • No food, gum, drinks, or pens are permitted in the library reading room.
3. Use and Handling of Library Collections
   • Library staff assign seats to researchers when they arrive.
   • Library collections must remain on the table during use. Arms, elbows, laptops, cameras, phones, and sheets of paper should never be rested on library collections.
   • Researchers should turn pages slowly and carefully; collection support props will be provided and must be used at all times.
   • Four items from the Printed Collections may be used simultaneously. In the case of rare materials, just one item may be viewed at a time.
   • When viewing items from the Manuscript Department and Department of Prints, Photographs, and Architectural Collections, only one folder may be removed from a box at a time. It should be placed flat on the table or used with a collection support prop, per the instructions of the librarian. Please be mindful of the order of items within folders, as it is important to preserve the existing arrangement of materials.
   • Researchers wishing to access architectural drawings should be aware that due to their fragility and volume, special restrictions and handling procedures apply .
   • If microfilm or other surrogate formats of original materials are available, researchers are asked to consult those, unless there is a compelling reason to view the originals, in which case a request must be made in writing and submitted to the Director of the Library for approval in advance of the researcher's visit.
4. Reproductions and Rights Clearance
   • All photocopying, other than printing copies from microfilm, is done by the library staff, and is at their discretion. Not all collections or items are physically stable enough to be copied.
   • Photography for individual research use is allowed in the reading room in accordance with the guidelines provided in the information sheet, "Guidelines for Photographing Collections in the Library."
   • Researchers interested in images for publication or other commercial use should contact the >N-YHS Office of Rights & Reproductions for information regarding permissions and fees.
   • The N-YHS Library makes all of its materials available to researchers on an "as is" basis and without any right to use the materials for any purpose. Researchers are responsible for identifying and clearing any rights in the materials and for indemnifying the N-YHS Library for any claims arising out of their use.

About your Username and Password

During registration, you will be asked to choose a Username and Password, that you will use when logging on to the online request system in the future.

Notice Warning Concerning Copyright Restrictions

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials.

Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research". If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use", that user may be liable for copyright infringement.

The New-York Historical Society reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law. It is the responsibility of the researcher, not the New-York Historical Society, to ascertain the copyright status of any and all items they wish to quote or reproduce.

Terms of Use and Quoting in Publications

Neither permission to examine nor photoreproduction of collections constitutes permission to quote, transcribe or reproduce in publication. Please speak with a librarian for more information.

User Data Collection and Use

We may retain information we collect from you in connection with your use of a New-York Historical Society Library Aeon Account indefinitely. We may use this information, or provide the information to third parties to use, in a variety of ways, including but not limited to, to satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or governmental request; to detect, prevent or otherwise address fraud, security or technical issues; to protect the rights, property or safety of the library, its users or others; and for administration and maintenance of collections or library operations.

I agree to indemnify and hold the New-York Historical Society and its affiliates, employees, members of its governing boards, and agents harmless from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to my use of the Library's materials or my failure to comply with any of the foregoing terms and conditions.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Before registering, you may wish to read the FAQ. The FAQ may answer other questions you have about the new online request system.

By pressing the "First Time Users Click Here" button below, you acknowledge and agree to all of the terms and conditions above and are signing this document.