Spencer Art Reference Library
Spencer Art Reference Library Hours |
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The Spencer Library is the only place you need to go for art related resources, whether you want to keep up with the newest art periodicals, peruse the latest exhibition catalogs and Museum publications or dig deeper into a specific collection or work of art. Library staff is here to assist you with all of these areas of interest and more.
The library’s collections of printed materials in ten languages include over 180,000 volumes, comprised of books, exhibition catalogs, auction catalogs, theses and dissertations, and bound periodicals. The extensive collection also includes over 650 current periodical subscriptions, media, microforms, electronic resources and artist files. The holdings of the Spencer Art Reference Library are found in the Library Online Catalog of the Nelson-Atkins shared with the Linda Hall Library of Science, Engineering and Technology, Kansas City.
The public reading room features a browsing collection of frequently consulted reference works and publications, including catalogs of the Museum’s exhibitions dating back to 1933, current issues of 150 select periodicals and newspapers, and current auction sales catalogs. All other materials are kept in closed stacks which library staff can retrieve upon request. All materials must be used in the reading room, and may not be checked out.
Visitors may access the library online catalog and over 30 online reference sources with information such as art prices in auction catalogs. Free Wi-Fi access is available for library visitors. Library staff members provide information services to individuals and groups.
The Spencer Art Reference Library is located on the second floor of the award winning Steven Holl-designed Bloch Building. The library is free and open to the public. No appointments are necessary during regular hours.
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Archives
The purpose of the Archives is to document the history and activities of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Nelson Gallery Foundation, the William Rockhill Nelson Trust and other affiliated organizations. As a supplement to the official record, the Archives also collects the personal papers and manuscript material of former Museum staff and other individuals associated with the Museum.
Materials in the Museum Archives are available to the public by appointment only. Call 816.751.1354 to schedule an appointment.
Archives Hours
Tuesday–Friday, 8 a.m.—4 p.m.
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Visual Resources Library
The Slide/Visual Resources Library is available only to Museum staff, visiting Museum speakers and local academic faculty, and provides an encyclopedic image collection for lectures, presentations and research.
Visual Resources Library Hours
Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.—4 p.m.
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