Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
The Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library is one of the world's largest buildings devoted entirely to rare books and manuscripts and is Yale's principal repository for literary archives, early manuscripts, and rare books. The Beinecke Library's robust collections are used to create new scholarship by researchers from around the world.
What's Available:
Hours
Accessibility
There is an accessible entrance on the side of the building facing Wall Street. This entrance is normally locked but is in sight view of the front desk attendant. The elevator is located near the main desk. Research areas and public exhibition spaces are accessible to the handicapped via elevator. Accessible men's and women's bathrooms are located on the bottom floor. Researchers requiring special accommodations are encouraged to email beinecke.access@yale.edu prior to their visit. Metered parking for the handicapped is available on High St. between Wall St. and Grove St.
Access
The Beinecke Library is open to all Yale University students and faculty, and visiting researchers whose work requires use of its special collections. You will need to bring appropriate photo ID the first time you register. Consult the library's closed collection schedule before planning your visit.
The reading room is open Monday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Please be prepared to secure most of your belongings in a Beinecke locker, as limited amounts of material are permitted in the reading room.
Beinecke is a non-circulating, closed stack library. Paging is done by library staff during business hours.
For more information, please see Planning Your Research Visit and consult the Reading Room Policies prior to visiting the library.
The exhibition spaces are open Monday, 10 a.m. – 7 a.m., Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. All exhibitions are free and open to the public.
Directions
The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library is located in the Beinecke Plaza or Hewitt Quadrangle. To enter the building, use the revolving door entrance across from Woolsey Hall.