The Research Library is open to inquiries from all visitors on a drop-in or appointment basis.

Three levels of reader privileges are available to facilitate access as needed:

Plaza Reader

• Plaza Reader privileges are available to any visitor with government-issued photo identification.
• Access to the Plaza level of the Research Library, which houses art reference materials, J. Paul Getty Trust Publications, a Los Angeles collection, and the current periodicals reading room. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
• Four public terminals provide access to the Research Library Catalog, from which general library materials from stacks and storage may be requested for use in the Plaza reading room.
• Parking is available free of charge; parking reservations are required and may be made through the Reference staff.

Stack Reader

• Stack Reader privileges are awarded to all members of the scholarly and museum communities (e.g., university faculty, graduate students, curators, etc.) with proof of current institutional affiliation and government-issued photo identification.
• Stack Reader privileges may be awarded to independent researchers with specific projects or interests upon approval of a brief application and verification of identity through government-issued photo identification.
• Undergraduate applicants normally are not eligible for Stack Reader privileges.
• Undergraduates with special circumstances will be considered when they submit a letter of reference from a professor familiar with their work along with a current student identification card and a government-issued photo identification.
• Stack Readers may use the open stacks, Photo Study Collection, and reading areas on all three levels of the Research Library, Monday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
• Stack Readers will be granted access to special collections materials during the special collections reading room open hours (Monday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) upon request and completion of paperwork.
• Materials from storage may be paged for use in the library.
Reserve shelves are available.
• Parking is available to Stack Readers free of charge; advance reservations are not required.
• Stack Reader privileges expire every two years, but are usually renewable.

Extended Reader

• Researchers must be working on projects requiring concentrated use of Research Library materials for extended hours of access.
• At the time of application, applicants should be registered Stack Readers familiar with the Research Library, if possible.
• Prospective Extended Readers must complete an application form (available here in .pdf or at the Reference desk). The application requires a description of the researcher's project and/or the materials to be used as well as the names of two references.
• Extended Reader privileges provide extended hours of access (Monday-Sunday, 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.) to the open stacks, Photo Study Collection, and reading areas of the Research Library.
• Extended Readers will be granted access to special collections material during the special collections reading room open hours (Monday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) upon request and completion of paperwork.
• Materials from storage may be paged for use in the library.
• Reserve shelves are available.
• Study carrels, when available, will be assigned to Extended Readers on an as-needed basis, to be determined by the frequency of the Extended Reader's use of the library in any given quarter.
• Parking is available to Extended Readers free of charge; advance reservations are not required.
• Extended Reader privileges expire annually and require reapplication each year.

For appointments and reference assistance contact Library Reference.