About RBML
About
The Rare Book & Manuscript Library (RBML) is Columbia's principal repository for primary sources. The range of collections in RBML span more than 4,000 years and comprise rare printed works, cylinder seals, cuneiform tablets, papyri, and Coptic ostraca; medieval and renaissance manuscripts; as well as art, realia and born-digital objects. Some 500,000 printed books and 90,000 linear feet (17 miles) of manuscripts, personal papers, and records form the core of the RBML holdings. One can find manuscripts from as early as the 14th century to the modern archives relating to Herman Wouk, Erica Jong, Serge Prokofiev, and Arthur Mitchell. Archives as varied as the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Random House, and Amnesty International-USA, and the archives of Columbia University are available for research. To learn more about RBML, please visit our Collection Areas.
Staff
- Celeste Brewer, Archivist
(212) 853-0143
- Melissa Cabarcas, Library Assistant IV
(212) 854-4647
- Tanya Chebotarev, Curator, Bakhmeteff Archive
(212) 854-3986 - Jennifer Comins, Carnegie Collections Archivist
(212) 854-7937 - Tara Craig, Head of Public Services
(212) 854-4051 - Jane Gorjevsky, Head of Collections Management
(212) 854-8937 - Karen Green, Curator for Comics and Cartoons
(212) 853-0429
- Robb Haberman, Associate Editor, John Jay Papers
(212) 854-4869 - Yingwen Huang, Archivist - Chinese Materials
(212) 854-9057
- Jonathan Jara, Library Assistant V
(212) 851-7524 - Thai Jones, Lehman Curator for American History
(212) 854-9616 - Christopher Laico, Archivist
(212) 854-7125 - Patrick Lawlor, Technical Services Archivist
(212) 851-5824 - Jennifer B. Lee, Curator for Performing Arts
(212) 854-4048 - Vanessa Lee, Public Services Specialist
(212) 854-2231 - Thomas J. McCutchon, Collections Management Specialist
(212) 854-9898 - Martin Kevin O'Connor, Bibliographic Assistant V
(212) 854-2767 - David Olson, Oral History Archivist
(212) 853-0117 - Sean Quimby, Director, Rare Book & Manuscript Library
(212) 854-2232 - Catherine Carson Ricciardi, Archivist
(212) 851-5825 - Joanna Rios, Records Manager
(212) 854-1331 - Kevin Schlottmann, Head of Archives Processing
(212) 854-8483 - Katia Shraga, Archivist
(212) 854-8480
- Jane Siegel, Librarian for Rare Books & Bibliographic Services
(212) 854-8482 - Carolyn Kay Smith, Archivist
(212) 854-3399 - Vianca Victor, Library Assistant V
(212) 851-7524 - Brant M. Vogel, Associate Editor, John Jay Papers
(212) 854-4869
- Jocelyn Wilk, University Archivist
(212) 854-1338
Contact
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Butler Library, 6th Floor East
535 West 114th St. MC1127
New York, NY 10027
(212) 854-5590
Hours
The Rare Book & Manuscript Library is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. When classes are in session, the RBML closes at 7:45 on Monday nights. Please check the RBML Hours Calendar for the full schedule of our hours of operation.
Directions
The Rare Book & Manuscript Library is located on the 6th floor of Butler Library. Butler Library is accessible via the Columbia University quadrangle; the back of the library faces 114th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue.
If you do not have a valid Columbia ID card, please proceed to the Library Information Office, located on the left of the library entrance before the security desk. When you have passed the security desk, follow the hallway left and take the elevator to the 6th floor. The entrance to the RBML is through the glass doors at the end of the hallway, to your right. Lockers for coats, jackets, bags, and other personal items are located just outside the entrance; keys are available at the RBML reference desk.