Library for the Performing Arts

Library for the Performing Arts. It is a world-renowned research institution dedicated to the documentation and study of dance, music, theater, and recorded sound. Located within the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts campus in New York City, it operates as a branch of The New York Public Library system. The library's vast holdings, which exceed eight million items, serve as an indispensable resource for scholars, artists, students, and the general public, preserving the ephemeral history of the performing arts.

History

The library was created in 1965 through the merger of the research collections of The New York Public Library with the performing arts resources of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Its original home was within the newly constructed Metropolitan Opera House, sharing space with the Metropolitan Opera. In 1969, the library moved into its own dedicated building, designed by the architect Gordon Bunshaft of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and named the New York State Theater building, which also housed the New York City Ballet. A major renovation and expansion project was completed in 2001, significantly enhancing its public spaces and research facilities. Key figures in its development have included directors like Martha Hill and Paul LeClerc, who championed its role as a living archive.

Collections

The library's integrated collections are among the most comprehensive in the world, organized into four curatorial divisions. The Jerome Robbins Dance Division holds an unparalleled archive including the original manuscripts of George Balanchine, films of Martha Graham, and the archives of the New York City Ballet. The Music Division preserves original scores by composers such as Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Tania León, alongside the papers of Arturo Toscanini. The Billy Rose Theatre Division contains extensive materials on Broadway theatre, including set designs for productions by David Belasco and scripts from the Federal Theatre Project. The Rodgers & Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound houses over 700,000 recordings, from Enrico Caruso 78s to live performances at the Village Vanguard.

Facilities and services

The library occupies several floors of the New York State Theater building at Lincoln Center. Public areas include the Donald and Mary Oenslager Gallery, which hosts rotating exhibitions on topics ranging from Shakespeare in the Park to the career of Beverly Sills. The Bruno Walter Auditorium presents a regular schedule of free lectures, film screenings, and performances featuring artists like Mikhail Baryshnikov and institutions like the Juilliard School. Research services are centered in the Special Collections Reading Room, where scholars can access rare items such as Vladimir Horowitz's annotated scores. The library also offers extensive digital initiatives, providing online access to collections from the American Musical Theatre and historic broadcasts from WNYC.

Governance and administration

The library operates as a part of The New York Public Library system, under the leadership of its President, currently Anthony W. Marx. Day-to-day administration is overseen by the Barbara G. and Lawrence A. Fleischman Executive Director, a position long held by Jacqueline Z. Davis. It works in close partnership with the constituent organizations of Lincoln Center, including the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, and the Juilliard School. Key support comes from the Library for the Performing Arts Advisory Committee and dedicated advocacy groups like the Friends of the Library for the Performing Arts. Its operations and acquisitions are funded through a combination of city appropriations, grants from institutions like the National Endowment for the Humanities, and private donations.

In popular culture

The library's distinctive circular building and iconic fountain plaza at Lincoln Center have made it a recognizable filming location, featured in movies such as *Moonstruck* and *Ghostbusters*. Its collections have been sourced for numerous documentaries, including Ken Burns's *Jazz (TV series)* and *American Masters* profiles on Bob Dylan and Maya Angelou. Television series like *The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel* have utilized its archives for historical accuracy in depicting the Greenwich Village music scene. Furthermore, the library's public programs often intersect with popular media, having hosted events with celebrities like Lin-Manuel Miranda and discussions tied to major productions on Broadway and HBO.

Category:Research libraries Category:Performing arts libraries Category:Lincoln Center Category:Libraries in Manhattan Category:1965 establishments in New York City