Rare Book & Manuscript Library | Columbia University Libraries

Talismanic scroll of the Qurʾān, 1250 AH / 1834 AD South Asia? 564x9 cm. Smith Ms Or 434. … Read More »

Demonstration in front of Hamilton Hall against Marine recruiting, April, 21, 1967. … Read More »

Blue-vested canons of S. Giorgio in Alga kneeling before Sts. Peter and Paul … Read More »

Original textile pattern, from a book maquette by Maksim Osipov. Okti︠a︡brʹ i profpechatʹ … Read More »

Cheerleaders at Columbia football game, undated. Photo from Alumni News. … Read More »

Haitian Demonstration in Brooklyn, in reaction to the overthrow of Jean-Claude Duvalier. … Read More »

Arjuna and verses from the Bhagavad Gita … Read More »

Censored manuscript of Ḥidushe masekhet Kidushin. … Read More »

"Sketch of Major Houghton's Track to Bambouk, with his intended route to Tombuctoo," … Read More »

Nicholas II Coronation Menu, Moscow May 19, 1896. Soiuz Pazhei Papers … Read More »

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2022-2023 ACADEMIC YEAR AT RBML: WHAT TO EXPECT

Digital Resources: Many resources are available online. You can access them by following the links listed below. You can also learn more about how RBML is documenting COVID-19 at Columbia. In addition, we will continue to post news stories about collections and initiatives.

Reading Room Access: The RBML reading room is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm by advance appointment only to external visitors and Columbia affiliates.

PLAN AHEAD: Reading room appointments must be booked at least 7 days in advance and up to 90 days in advance. Bookings are are first-come, first served and we cannot guarantee the availability of preferred dates/times. For more information on booking an appointment, visit our Appointment FAQ page

See the Plan Your Visit Page for instructions on planning your visit. We invite all users to access our Digital Collections, request reproductions, or contact us for alternatives to in-person visits.

Order Reproductions: Limited reproductions of materials may be requested. See our Orders & Services page for details.

Research & Teaching Support: RBML staff are available to assist faculty with online teaching and to support students with research projects and assignments. Contact us for assistance.

Exhibitions: Our exhibition galleries are open to Columbia affiliates and external visitors with confirmed reading room appointments. Online Exhibitions are always available to all.

RBML Search Tools

CLIO

The Columbia University Libraries online catalogue is a primary tool for locating RBML materials.

Archival Collections Portal

This portal provides access to records of archival collections at Columbia University Libraries, including finding aids, collection descriptions and available digital content, such as online exhibits and images.

Oral History Portal

Use this portal to explore the collections of the Columbia Center for Oral History (CCOH) Archives at RBML.

Quick Links

Current Exhibits

Science, Nature & Beauty: Harmony and Cosmological Perspectives in Islamic Science: through March 3, 2023 in Kempner Gallery. This exhibit helps to bring into clear relief the complex and dynamic ways in which sciences permeated almost all aspects of life within the Muslim world, not only during the so-called “golden age” or “classical” centuries of Islamic history but until at least the middle of the 18th century. The exhibit also contributes to an understanding of Islamic science as a robust, diverse and lively scholarly endeavor, and as a central and non-reducible component of larger and non-linear histories, cultures and traditions of the arts and sciences. A digital brochure of the exhibit is also available.

Fanzines: Passion Made Personal: through June 30 in the Chang Octagon.