Research Library

© 2007 Sheila Klos

The Dumbarton Oaks Research Library collects materials to support scholarship in Byzantine studies, Pre-Columbian studies, and garden and landscape studies. It comprises four formerly independent collections—the above-mentioned three plus the photo archives. In 1999, the collections came together administratively to form the Research Library as it exists today.

The general library collections contain more than 200,000 items in a variety of formats. All materials are non-circulating.

The Rare Book Collection contains more than 10,000 volumes, prints, drawings, photographs, and blueprints.

The Image Collections & Fieldwork Archives holds more than 500,000 images in a variety of formats, the majority of which are Byzantine subject matter. Photographs and archival collections supporting Pre-Columbian studies and garden and landscape studies are being actively developed.

Use of the collections requires prior authorization as a reader. Due to space limitations, the Rare Book Collection and Image Collections & Fieldwork Archives require appointments to be made in advance of every use.

Institutional archives are accessible by appointment only, but do not require authorization for Reader status. Please contact James Carder, Archivist and House Collection Manager, at CarderJ@doaks.org or 202-339-6429.