Library Research

The Librarian for music is Scott Collard (212-998-2523) and for theatre is Rye Gentleman (212-998-2622). These librarians can help you identify appropriate library resources for your research and assist with any questions you may have about using library resources and services. You should feel free to email them with questions or contact him or her to set up a one-on-one session. 

Research guides for music and theatre are available, where you may identify useful resources; visit the Resource Guide for Music and the Resource Guide for Theatre.

The Library also offers a number of services for those who teach at the University. If you are in need of information about putting items on course reserves, setting up a library instruction session for their class, or copyright, should consult the Library Faculty Services Website.

Borrowing

NYU students and faculty may also borrow materials from Cooper Union, The New School, and New York School of Interior Design.

For materials at Bobst, You can check out materials 24 hours a day and avoid lines at the Circulation desks by using the Self-check machines. Most users can check out up to 200 books at a time.

Avery Fisher Center for Music and Media

The Avery Fisher Center (AFC) resides on Floor 7 of Bobst Library. The video collection (DVDs, blu-rays, and videocassettes) contains an extensive variety of classic and contemporary feature films from the U.S. and around the world, as well as TV series, stage and concert performances, documentaries, and art films. The audio collection (CDs and vinyl discs) is also international in scope, offering an in-depth representation of music both contemporary and historical from the widest spectrum of classical, traditional, and popular artists.

The Avery Fisher Center’s facilities includes 4 small and 2 large collaborative media rooms, in addition to our state-of-the-art immersion room.

Borrowing AFC Materials

All of the AFC’s audio, video, and reserve score materials are listed in BobCat. To borrow an item, first find the call number of the item you wish to check out. You can use the Limit to field in BobCat to narrow your search results to Video, Audio, or Score. Ask the staff for assistance if you cannot find the item you are looking for in the catalog.

Once you have found the call number, bring it to the AFC service desk.

The last checkout is 15 minutes before closing.

If after you consult with an AFC staff member you still can’t find what you need, suggest a purchase.

PhD candidates can borrow up to 20 non-reserve audio materials for up to 1 week; 5 non-reserve videos for up to 1 week; 2 reserve audio materials for up to 4 hours; 5 reserve videos for up to 6 hours; and 2 reserve scores for up to 2 hours.

Returning AFC Materials

Return checked-out materials to the AFC service desk when the Center is open. If the AFC is closed, please use the drop box available on Floor 7 near the AFC service desk. Do not use other drop box locations in Bobst Library.

Scheduling On-site Materials

With the Schedule a Loan form, PhD candidates can schedule specific pickup times for AFC materials, and ensure that an item is available on a certain date.

Please submit your video request at least 24 hours prior to pickup. You will receive an email when your requested item has been confirmed.

Accessing Off-site Materials

Most VHS tapes, CDs, LaserDiscs, and LPs are currently housed off site, and can be requested through BobCat. You will receive an automated email when your request is ready for pickup.

Off-site items require 1 to 3 business days to arrive, the longest wait being over the weekend.

Graduate Study Rooms

Bobst Library has many reservable group and individual study rooms for graduate students, located on Lower Levels 1 & 2, and Floors 4, 6, 8, and 9. These rooms include the graduate collaboratives and dissertation writers’ rooms. Use the Study Room Reservation Link to reserve a space.

How do I reserve a room?

Log in with your NYU NetID. Enter your preferred time, date, and reservation length. Graduate students may reserve a room for up to 3 hours at a time. You may reserve a room 14 days in advance.

You will receive an email confirmation. For group room reservations, you will be asked to enter the email addresses of your group members and a confirmation will be sent to them as well.

Can I use a study room without a reservation?

Yes, but keep in mind that you may be asked to leave if a user with a reservation arrives.

Study Room Policies

Group and individual study rooms are a popular service. To help this work well for all students, please adhere to the following policies:

Rooms cannot be reserved or held by placing personal belongings in them. Materials and personal items left unattended may be removed by library staff.

Group rooms may not be reserved or held for a single user only. Single users in a group study room (with or without reservations) will be asked to vacate the room for groups of 2 or more.

Bring your confirmation email with you. Students with a reservation always have priority over walk-in users.

There is a 10 minute grace period for reservations. If the reservation holder is not present within 10 minutes, the reservation is invalid.

Audio and Media Rooms 

These reservable, swipe-access spaces feature mounted monitors and speakers, writable walls, and are equipped for a full range of media listening and viewing. Use the Audio and Media Room Reservation Link to reserve a room.

Interlibrary Loan and Research Aids 

Bobst Library offers a fast and easy way to find and receive materials not available in the NYU or consortium collection. Use the Bobst Interlibrary Loan Request System to request materials. 

While a general reference librarian is available at Bobst without appointment during regular working hours, another good resource is the Bobst Ask-a-Librarian service, available via email, IM, and text. The library’s screenname is AskBobst and you can add it to your contacts in Gmail, Yahoo, or AOL, to get immediate research assistance online. For more details, visit the Ask-a-Librarian Service on the Bobst Website.