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An Arts Library Collections Overview
With the founding of the Yale School of Art in 1864, the "arts library" began as a small book collection, taking shape in Street Hall. Between 1908 and 1916, architecture was incorporated into the Yale program along with a related library in Weir Hall. The Drama and the Slide and Photo collections began within the Art Library but eventually moved into their own respective locations. In 1967, the Graphic Arts Collection was created to support the Graphic Design graduate program and over the years grew in scope, treating all arts related to the book format, such as printing, typography, papermaking, and binding. The collection became known as the Arts of the Book Collection and for many years was housed in Sterling Memorial Library. Since 1896, the Classics Library has occupied the fifth floor of Phelps Hall but became administratively linked to the Arts Library in the 1990s.
Today, the Robert B. Haas Family Arts Library Collections comprise the merged holdings of the former Art & Architecture and Drama libraries, and the Arts of the Book, making it the primary collection for the study of art, architecture, and drama production at Yale. The Classics Library remains in its original location but shares many services and resources with the Haas Family Arts Library. In addition, the staff of the Visual Resources Collection, formerly housed in Street Hall, joins the Haas Family Arts Library with its service bureau located on the lower level. For more information about these collections, please select the appropriate link below. Suggestions or purchase requests are welcomed and can be submitted here.
~ Art & Architecture Collections
~ Arts Library Special Collections
~ Classics Library
~ Drama Collections
~Visual Resources Collection
~ Hours
Art & Architecture Collections
The Art & Architecture Collections support the curricular and research needs of the Schools of Art and Architecture, the Department of the History of Art, and the Yale University Art Gallery. Over the years, as the library outgrew its space, percentages of the collections were transferred to the Seeley G. Mudd Library and, later, the Yale University Library Shelving Facilty in Hamden, CT. Additionally, Art & Architecture materials are purchased, with Haas Family Arts Library funds, for Sterling Memorial Library. Those materials are generally text-heavy works, better suited to the confines of Sterling and its circulation policies. (All arts-related materials kept in these collections, Mudd, SML, LSF, Bass, etc., circulate for that location's circulation period.) The combined collections consist of nearly 500,000 volumes with approximately 800 serial and electronic resources subscriptions. See map below for locations of Haas Arts materials and other Arts materials in Yale's Libraries.
View Arts Materials in Yale's Libraries in a larger map
Drama Collections
The Drama Library began in 1925 when the Department of Drama (later School of Drama) was founded by George Pierce Baker. During most of its history it was located in the University Theatre building at 222 York Street. In August of 2008 it joined the collections housed in the Haas Family Arts Library. It provides service to the Yale theatre community including the graduate School of Drama, its professional counterpart the Yale Repertory Theatre, the undergraduate Theater Studies program and various other performing groups. Currently, the drama collections include approximately 20,000 volumes, including plays by American, British and foreign playwrights, books on the history of theatre, theatre architecture, dramatic criticism, costume and stage design, stage lighting and production, theatre management, biographies and related reference books.
Hours & Locations
Robert B. Haas Family Arts Library
180 York Street
P.O. Box 208318
New Haven, CT 06520-8318
Map
203-432-2645 (Service Desk)
203-432-0549 (Fax)
LINK TO ALL YALE LIBRARY HOURS
General Hours: Fall and Spring
Mon-Thur 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Fri 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sat 10:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m.
Sun 2:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m.
General Hours: Summer
Mon 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tue 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wed-Fri 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Exceptions
Closed Labor Day
Reduced hours Fall Break
Reduced hours Thanksgiving Week
Closed Thursday-Saturday Thanksgiving Break
Reduced hours Winter Break
Closed Winter Break
Closed Monday, MLK Day
Reduced Hours Spring Break
Closed, Memorial Day
Closed, July 4th Holiday
Arts Library Special Collections (Haas Arts Library, Lower Level)
Mon.-Thurs., 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
**Reduced hours of 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. only are in effect during holiday and recess periods.
Visual Resources Collection Operating Hours (Haas Arts Library, Lower Level)
Monday - Friday, 8:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, Closed
Classics Library (344 College Street, Phelps Hall, 5th floor)
Monday 11 May - Tuesday 1 September
Mon - Fri - 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sat - Closed
Sun Closed
For Your Security
- University or Library-issued identification is necessary to enter the Haas Family Arts Library after 5 p.m.
- Whenever you are concerned about your safety when leaving the building, escorts to vehicles or other buildings may be requested through 432-9255.
- PLEASE WATCH YOUR PERSONAL POSSESSIONS. The library is not responsible for the loss or damage of personal items.