Marquand is one of the oldest and most extensive art libraries in America. The collection of over 500,000 volumes covers world art and architecture from antiquity to the present and includes distinguished rare book holdings. Marquand serves the Princeton University community and scholars from around the world. 

Marquand is a Non-Circulating Library

Marquand materials may not be removed from the library. We do not lend volumes for interlibrary loan. Requests for scans of chapters or articles may be requested via the library catalog or Article Express (PU affiliates), and must be made through the borrower's library for individuals outside of Princeton. If this is not possible, email us with the details of your need.

Access the Collections: Marquand at Firestone

Temporary Location Information

Marquand Library is temporarily located on the C-floor of Firestone Library as McCormick Hall is undergoing renovation for construction of the new Princeton University Art Museum, which is slated to open in 2025. Access to the art library for visitors is handled by the Access Office at the entrance to Firestone. 

Reference and Instruction

Art Research Instruction

Library instruction may be tailored to a specific course with some advanced notice, and/or an online research guide may be requested.

Frequently asked questions related to art research and using Marquand can be found in the Art FAQ research guide on the left, and there are many additional research guides available for specific courses, subjects, and for specific media. 

Research Consultations

The Assistant Librarian is the main point of contact for art, architecture and archaeology-related research assistance and instruction needs (in addition to the School of Architecture librarian for architecture, design, and urban studies, and the Marquand Asian art bibliographers for Asian art research needs).

Schedule a consultation

Services

Collections

Marquand collects current and antiquarian library materials to support research in art and architecture, the decorative arts, photography, and archaeology. The entire history of art is represented, from antiquity to the present.

Marquand considers itself a library of record, and buys retrospectively to fill gaps and to support emerging areas of interest. There are few geographical limits, though materials on South and Southeast Asia and Oceania are chosen selectively. Marquand collects items in most languages and, in principle, no language is excluded.

Monographs, exhibition catalogs, journals, facsimiles, reference materials, and microforms are all of interest. Marquand acquires electronic resources, including image databases, electronic journals, indexes, and other reference works.

Videos and other media materials are purchased, but usually housed at ReCAP (off-site). In areas of collection overlap, Marquand selectors work closely with other subject librarians in Firestone, the School of Architecture Library, the East Asian Library, and Special Collections to ensure coverage and avoid unnecessary duplication.

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Staff