The Frick Collection Art Library Review

Amazing collection great setting. View from the park if you are trying to find it.

This was a spot that made it onto my list because of all the good online lists it has made for Top NY Museums. The place is easy to find and admission was $18 for adults. My bf and I arrived on a Sunday afternoon a little more than an hour before closing. The collection is beautiful and I especially loved walking through a place that was actual used as a private residence. Unfortunately, we didn't read up well enough before arriving to realize the self-guided audio is included in the cost of the ticket - Fail! Overall, we really enjoyed the collection, the space and the beautiful indoor fountain. This place is totally worth the visit for tourists and locals alike.

Incredible diversity of Old Masters work in an opulent historical setting. A true gem of the NYC museums.

This beautiful, beautiful space -- open to anyone, as long as they register, has on the finest collections of art books in the world and a supremely helpful staff to shepherd you through them. Every time I walk in, I am blown away -- and so grateful that something like this is available for free!

Caveat: this is a review for a specific staff member, not for the library itself. The Frick Art Reference Library is a GEM of an institution, with a wealth of knowledge and resources. The staff members and archivists are generally friendly and helpful with the exception of one:

I don't want to name names, but I'll just describe her as librarian B - if you've been to the library at the Frick, you'll know exactly who she is - on the shorter side, cropped blonde hair, usually with an Alice in Wonderland outfit cum ugly bow or headband - I don't know what her problem is, but this woman is the absolute worst - extremely rude, with a severe attitude, and downright unhelpful. Whenever I, or my colleagues, have asked her for assistance she acts like the world is crumbling and huffs a huge sigh and gives a nasty look before finally helping you. She is constantly second-guessing any research requests and often makes you jump through hoops to achieve what you need; whether it's in requesting substantial files from the photoarchives, if you can't find a book on the shelf, or if a request has not arrived and/or gone through on FRESCO she stares you down and insinuates you've done it incorrectly or asked if you've already completed ABC, XYZ in a rude or aggressive tone, before addressing the issue at hand. I don't believe it's just me or my organization who has an issue either, as I've chatted with other friends in the art world who are in different capacities (academic, commercial, private, etc) who use the library and they've all expressed similar feeling about this person.

She consistently makes any visit to the library unpleasant and if I see her behind the counter I either turn and go to the next person, or if she's alone, sit it out and wait until somebody else comes along.

LIBRARY USERS BEWARE - by in large everyone else at the library is lovely - the head librarian, photoarchive / book pagers, etc - but stay away from this wretch. It's librarians like this one who perpetrate the negative connotations that often surround library science and the field.

The art work here is great. I enjoy visiting this place. The paintings here are wonderful. You feel like you are in Paris when you go here.The furniture her is nice.

Very good art reference library, with helpful staff.
Good collection of auction catalogues.
Reduced hours in the summer.