Because the LaGuardia faculty have such diverse research areas, the collection of the LaGuardia Library Media Resources Center might not fill everyone's research needs (although our online databases have a tremendous amount of full-text material on various topics). Luckily, New York City has many accessible libraries for someone doing academic research. The following is a guide to help make the most of the city's research resources.
New York Public Library's Research Libraries are perhaps the most famous of New York's libraries. They are comprised of the Humanities and Social Sciences Library (commonly known as the 42nd Street branch or "the one with the lions"), the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the Science, Industry and Business Library (commonly called SIBL). It's worth checking out descriptions of all of these collections since there's some overlap that might not be apparent from their names. For instance, SIBL houses New York Public's government documents. It's also worth noting that most of these research libraries accept e-mail reference questions (as does the Library of Congress).
The Humanities and Social Science Library has a myriad of collections within its walls, covering everything from rare books to local history to maps.
Use of the Research Libraries collections is free, requiring only an ACCESS card, which is separate from a New York Public Library card. Here is more information on the ACCESS card. Also, here is a helpful chart on the differences between the two types of NYPL library cards.
The Research Libraries also have their own catalog, called CATNYP. Searching CATNYP just searches the collections of the Research Libraries. To search the branch collection, which is more like that of a traditional public library's, use LEO. But whenever you're looking for something specific, and one catalog doesn't have it, always consider checking the other one.
New York Public's branch libraries also have some special collections that could be helpful. Among the best known of these special collections is the Donnell Media Center, which contains an extensive film and video library.
Also, please be aware New York City is made up of three separate public library systems. New York Public Library covers the Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Brooklyn is covered by Brooklyn Public Library and Queens is covered by Queens Borough Public Library. Any books taken out from one system must be returned to the same system. All three also have their own library cards, which are free to anyone living or working in New York City.
Faculty should also keep in mind that they have access to all CUNY Library materials, searchable via the CUNY+ catalog. Click here to read the CUNY borrowing policy.
If you're still having trouble tracking down materials for your research, all is not lost. All CUNY libraries are a part of METRO, a consortia of New York libraries. If a METRO library has something you need, that can't be obtained via CUNY, a public library, or Interlibrary Loan, you can get a METRO card to access a specific work. You can read the details here. Here is more information on METRO.
When looking for appropriate subject collections for your research, you also might want to consult the Directory of Special Libraries and Information Centers. It contains a subject index subdivided by state. You might find it helpful for tracking down specialized collections.
Also, you can always ask a librarian for some strategies in tracking down a New York City resource for your research need.
Compiled by Steven Ovadia; updated 12/6/07