Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Getty Library?

Yes. Walk-ins are welcome to browse the materials on the Plaza level, which houses a selection of current periodicals, reference works, and Getty publications.

The majority of the library’s collections are held in off-site storage. To access these materials, you must first register as a Library Reader. There are three types of Reader registration. Note, we do not register walk-ins on Mondays. For your first visit, if walking in, please plan to visit Tuesday through Friday.

Note that the Getty Library is not a lending library and all items must remain on site (with the exception of interlibrary loans).

How do I request items?

Library Readers can request items online using the Library Catalog. To request an item, sign in with your patron ID number and complete your search. Once you have selected the desired item, scroll to the bottom of the page and select “Request”. For special collections items, you must then make an appointment to use the Special Collections Reading Room. Contact the Reference Desk to make an appointment.

Refer to our Library Catalog Help for further details on requesting an item.

Can I scan general collections materials?

Library Readers can use the Bookeye scanners to scan books and periodicals. Scans may be emailed or saved to a flash drive.

Can I take pictures of Getty Library materials?

Readers may take digital pictures of materials for personal study. Readers should be considerate of fellow researchers. If photography disturbs others, the library may request that you stop. Avoid photographing staff or fellow readers.

Do you offer grants to researchers?

For 2027, the Getty Library will temporarily suspend its short-term travel grants due to renovations to the Getty Center (see “Getty Center 2027–2028 Temporary Closure” section below). Learn more about Getty Library Research Grants.

How can I access Holocaust-era resources?

The Getty Library houses resources related to Holocaust-era looting and postwar dissemination of stolen art. Refer to our Holocaust-Era Research Resources guide for more information.

How much does the use of a digital file cost?

Details about the cost of digital files can be found in our Collection Image Fees and Reproductions and Permissions policy.

Do I need permission to quote from the special collections?

See information about quotations in the Request Forms section on the Reproductions & Permissions page.

Can you tell me the value of a work of art that I own?

The Getty Library does not provide appraisal services but offers an Appraisals Research Guide.

Where can I find information about J. Paul Getty?

The J. Paul Getty Trust’s historical records are in Institutional Archives. These archives focus on core collections related to J. Paul Getty’s biography and his approach to art collecting. Watch this video to learn more about his life and collecting philosophy.

How do I request Getty Library materials for an exhibition?

To request Getty Library materials for an exhibition, refer to our Conditions for Borrowing Loan Collection Material.

Are you affiliated with Getty Images?

No, Getty Images has no affiliation with the J. Paul Getty Trust. Contact Getty Images directly at their website.

How can I find out what is in an archive housed in the Getty Library’s special collections?

The Getty Library offers finding aids for select archival collections, which provide detailed inventories and information about their contents.

Will I be able to use the Getty Library during the temporary closure of the Getty Center from March 15, 2027 through spring 2028?

During the Getty Center’s closure, all on-site visits to the Getty Library will not be allowed, including for Readers and classes. However, we will offer some services remotely and facilitate digital access to Library resources when possible; more details about these services will be announced prior to the closure date.

When is the last day I can use the Getty Library before the temporary closure?

March 12, 2027 will be the Library’s last day of on-site access before the closure. We encourage you to try to make any necessary research visits prior to that time.

Will the Getty Library offer Library Research Grants during the temporary closure?

No, Library Research Grants will not be offered during the closure.