The Library is open for in-person service.
New Quick Guide to Online Research
We are pleased to present a new concise Quick Guide to Online Research to help introduce the most powerful resources we offer to help you find a place to begin your research. This is just a place to start. The librarians are happy to guide you through this and beyond it, to all of our tools to help you succeed in your studies.
Reopening of New York Public Library
As of July 6, 2021 the New York Public Library has reopened all available locations and is currently offering near full-service. This includes access to general library use and seating, unlimited browsing and collection access, computer and laptop use, and more. A complete list of services, along with updated policies and procedures can be found at https://www.nypl.org/locations/directory .
During this time NYPL will continue providing remote access to collections and services. More information regarding remote access can be found at https://www.nypl.org/about/remote-research-resources .
Reference Services
As we have reopened, you may schedule an in-person reference session with our librarians. Our librarians will still be available for reference interviews online if that is more convenient for you. Please contact them by email to set up an in-person, online, or telephone appointment.
Overview Access Policies Loans and Renewals
The Library at SIA-New York currently holds over 11,000 titles and subscribes to over 70 current periodicals. The books can all be checked out except for a small number of reference titles that may not leave the library.
Quiet Study Area and Library Facilities
We offer two workstations in our quiet study area, equipped with a printer (for research results only). The computers do NOT have MS Word, MS Excel or MS Power-point. We encourage students to bring their laptops and connect to our wireless network.
Printing Facilities
Two print workstations with the MS Office suite are available in the student cafe area for students wishing to print papers and assignments. Printing costs 10¢ per page for black and white and 50¢ per page for color (20% discount for duplex printing). All students are set up with a personal print account and a credit of $2 (= 10 free B&W pages). See the signs by the print workstations for full instructions.
Photocopying & Scanning
We have one photocopier available for student use at the cost of 10¢ per page for black and white, and 50¢ per page for color copies. The machines accept coins and bills up to $5. For large copy jobs, students can request a copy card from the librarians and add larger amounts to the cards. There is also a scan station in the library. The scanner has an 11 x 17" bed and will send scans (for free) to a USB drive, Google Docs or email account.
The Sotheby's Institute of Art NY Library is reserved for the use of SIA students, faculty, staff, and visiting researchers.
Sotheby's Institute of Art - London Students
Students currently enrolled in the London MA programs may use the SIA-NY Library.
For the first visit to the library students must first contact the New York library staff to set up an appointment (nylibrary@sia.edu).
Subsequent visits will only require presentation of your valid SIA student card.
Borrowing privileges are determined on a case-by-case basis as current New York MA students have priority for circulating materials.
Sotheby's Institute of Art Alumni
Former Sotheby's Institute of Art students may use the library by appointment. Material may only be consulted on site. nylibrary@sia.edu
Outside Researchers
Local researchers not affiliated with Sotheby's Institute of Art are required to present a METRO pass from their home university or college.
Independent researchers or students and faculty at institutions outside the New York metropolitan area may make appointments to use the library and may only use materials on site. Sotheby's Institute of Art students, faculty and staff have priority for the use of library resources. Please contact us to arrange an appointment nylibrary@sia.edu
Standard loan periods for items from the New York Library circulating collection are:
In order to provide access to library materials for as many patrons as possible, the Library reserves the right to recall an item from any patron after the minimum loan, or immediately if the item is needed for Course Reserve.
Special Loan Periods
Videos (DVDs): 3 days
Checkout Limits
Standard checkout limits for items from the New York Library circulating collection are:
Renewals
Patrons may renew items 3 times. Books requested by other patrons will not be renewed. Books past due or due may not be renewed. Ways to Renew:
Returns
Materials borrowed may be returned in the book drop slot at the library's circulation desk or handed to library staff at the circulation desk.
The library does not have any drop boxes where materials may be returned when the library is not open. View hours for the library.
Reserved Items and Recalls
Sotheby's students, faculty, and staff may recall an item that is checked out to another patron by placing a reservation on it. Items may be reserved by going to the online catalog, searching for the item that is needed, and clicking the Reserve button on the record page. The patron who has the recalled item will be notified to return it after they have had it in their possession for a minimum of two weeks or the remainder of their loan period (whichever is shorter), regardless of the patron's standard loan period. Reserved titles will be held for students for up to one week and then returned to the stacks.
Recalled items cannot be renewed by the person from whom they are recalled. Patrons who receive a recall notice must return the item to the library's circulation desk by the adjusted due date to maintain borrowing privileges. Items needed for course reserve will be recalled by library staff.
Consequences for Lost and Overdue Items
• The library does not impose fines but students will have their borrowing rights suspended if they have items that are more than two weeks overdue.
• Overdue reminders are sent to Sotheby's Institute email addresses for MA/PGDip students as a courtesy.
• The librarian will follow up with students who have received a third overdue notice with an individual email and letter.
• Students will be charged the replacement cost for books they have lost.
• Receipt of graduation diplomas may be delayed for students with items that are still outstanding.
All Library Guides by Sotheby's Institute of Art New York Library are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. 3rd-party content including, but not limited to images and linked items, are subject to their own license terms.