The Worcester Art Museum Library
Hours & Information
History
Using the Library
Online Catalog
Digital Collections
Holdings
Donations
Brochure
Friends of the Library
Hours & Information
Admission to the library is free of charge
The Library will be closed on Friday, March 29 for Good Friday
School Year
(Labor Day to Memorial Day)
Wednesday-Friday, 11am-5pm
Saturday, 10am-5pm
Summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day)
Wednesday-Friday, 11am-5pm
Phone: 508.799.4406, x3070
E-mail at library@worcesterart.org
History
The Worcester Art Museum Library, founded in 1909, is a bibliographic resource dedicated to the history of art reflecting the collection strengths of the Museum. The Library is managed in association with the College of the Holy Cross, a collaboration that began in 2001.
The Library is located on the second floor of the Museum. The reading room is the original Sculpture Gallery in the Museum's 1898 building and houses frequently used monographs and art publications.
Using the Library
The Library serves the staff of the Museum, and also extends its resources and services to the community, including teachers, students, faculty, collectors, museum docents, scholars, and the general public. For Worcester area college students the Museum is a stop on the Consortium's shuttle service.
- If you wish to use a book from our Rare Book Collection please contact a librarian to make an appointment
- Belongings may be checked at any of the Museum entrances
- Backpacks are not allowed
- Food and drink are not permitted
- Free WiFi
A photocopier is available ($.15 per page black and white, $.50 per page color) and a printer is attached to our public access computer terminals.
Online Catalog
The Library's online catalog provides access to most of the holdings of the Worcester Art Museum Library and the libraries of the College of the Holy Cross, as well as a database of 1700 images from the Museum's permanent collection.
Digital Collections
The library provides on-line access to over 260 early Worcester Art Museum exhibition catalogs. The digitization of the catalogs was provided by the Digital Commonwealth and Boston Public Library and funded by an LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) grant. The digitized exhibition catalogs are available on the Internet Archive.
Holdings
The Library's bibliographic collection encompasses all periods and media of art, with an emphasis on European, American, and Asian art. The collection includes:
- 50,000 books
- Online databases (such as ARTstor and Oxford Art)
- Auction catalogs dating back to 1887
- Artist files
- 45,000 circulating slides
- Special materials on the Museum's permanent collection
- Current subscriptions to 25 art periodicals, and archived holdings of over 200 art periodicals
The collection is non-circulating.
Donations
The Library welcomes both monetary donations and books that could be included in the Library's holdings. The Library accepts books that are in good condition and art related. You may also help the Library by donating a book from our wish list.
Library Brochure
Download the Library Brochure for more information on the library.
Friends of the Library
The Friends of the Library group was started in 2002 to support and enhance the Library's activities and collections. Its purposes are: to provide and attract new financial support to enrich the basic collections and activities of the Library; to provide and attract special collections, rare books, and manuscripts; to sponsor special projects or programs; to provide a thorough understanding of the Library and its role in the Museum's future; and to serve as a medium through which persons may advance their own intellectual pursuits and share their enthusiasm for books and art.
The group meets four times a year and enjoys behind-the-scenes programs and special speakers. The group sponsors the triennial art book sale which is the Library's major fund raiser.
New Friends of the Library members are always welcome! If interested, please email library@worcesterart.org or click the links below.
Membership Levels
Friends of the Library Book Club
The Friends of the Library also sponsors a unique book club that meets five times per year to discuss books related to art, with specific themes related to the Worcester Art Museum. The book club usually has a guest speaker and includes a trip to the galleries.
All book club meetings start at 5pm in the Museum Library.
All other meetings are brown bag lunches and start at noon in the Museum Library.
Friends of the Library Event Calender
2013
January 15, 2013, 12pm in the Conference Room
Friends of the Library Meeting
Author talk - Tortured Excellence: The Life of Scofield Thayer by Jim Dempsey, Instructor from from WPI.
January 17, 2013, 5pm in the Library
Book Club Discussion
Basilica: The Splendor and the Scandal- Building St. Peters by R. A. Scotti. Guest will be Hank Miller, architect.
February 6, 2013, 5-8pm
Career Night
March 19, 2013, 12pm in the Hoche Scofield Room
Friends of the Library Meeting
Discussion of “Salon-Style Hangs in Museums” by Kristina Wilson, Professor from Clark U.
March 21, 2013, 5pm
Book Club Discussion.
The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance by Edmund de Waal. Guest is Louise Virgin, WAM curator of Asian art.
May 16, 2013, 5pm
Book Club Discussion
Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland
WiFi