Marquand Art Library - Rare Book Use
Marquand Library of Art and Archaeology
Today's Hours
- 9:00am - 9:00pm
For summer, holidays or recess hours, please consult the full schedule.
Contact Us
Rare Books
Marquand has a distinguished and growing collection of 15th through 21st-century rare books, periodicals, scrolls, facsimiles, and ephemera.
Requests to consult Marquand rare items must be submitted via the library catalog. General information about registering for a Special Collections account and requesting items may be found on this page. (To view only Marquand rares, do an Advanced Search in the Catalog, look for Holding Location on the right side. Type in: marquand. Scroll down to and click on: marquand$pz, and marquand$x to include our two rare locations and click SEARCH to see everything.)
Marquand’s rare collection minus oversize items (i.e. folios and elephant folios) is temporarily located in Firestone Special Collections on C Floor (OR off-site at ReCAP) and must be consulted in the SC reading room.
A Princeton ID, or a special Rare Books access card is required to use this collection. All rare book requests must be made online: pull up the catalog record for the item that is needed, and click on the link that reads Request to view in Reading Room in the Library Catalog.
NOTE: In-process rare items--designated as such or lacking a call number--these items may need at least a week's notice to physically locate. Oversized rare items, i.e. Folios and Elephant Folios, also require advanced notice.
Digital Cameras
Use is subject to Firestone policies and restrictions beginning May 2021.
Classroom Use (For Group/Class Visits)
Marquand has a dedicated special collections classroom and other rooms at our disposal, space permitting. Reservations for either must be made 2-3 weeks (or more) in advance to ensure securing the proper space to view rare materials. For classes, please send lists of materials needed (Title and Call Number are helpful) 1-2 weeks in advance to ensure prompt delivery and preparation of items. Offsite items can take up to 4 days for octavos and quartos and a full week (or more) for folios and elephant folios to make it to Firestone.
Email marquand@princeton.edu with classroom requests and/or questions or concerns about accessing rare materials, or to inquire about consulting rare (and non-rare) folios and elephant folios that are physically located at 693 Alexander Rd. Please be patient as we do our best to provide access to what is needed. More advanced notice will be needed than was the case in McCormick Hall.