The Museum has two specialized art libraries on its Balboa Park campus: The San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) Research Library and Archives and the Dubois Library at the Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art (MOPA@SDMA). Both facilities are now open to Museum members by appointment only during library open hours:
SDMA Research Library Wednesdays 12:30-2:30 p.m.
MOPA@SDMA Dubois Library Fridays 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
To book an appointment, please contact the Library at library@sdmart.org
About the SDMA Library and Archives
The Library’s ambition is to facilitate research concerning The San Diego Museum of Art, and its community, preserve its institutional history, and inspire lifelong learning.
The Library, located through the May S. Marcy Sculpture Court gates and next to the May S. Marcy Sculpture Garden, is the region’s largest library specializing in the visual arts. The Library’s holdings comprise more than 30,000 volumes covering a wide range of art topics, with a special emphasis on Italian Renaissance, Spanish Baroque, Indian miniature painting, and Chinese art.
The Library maintains an extensive collection of artist files containing ephemera, articles, and other information on more than 30,000 individuals, from Old Masters to contemporary artists. The Library houses a collection of rare books, prints, and periodicals that provide a deeper understanding of visual culture and art history. Most notable within the rare book collection are the catalogues raisonnés and East Asian art folios.
Located inside the Research Library, the Archive is the repository for a wide range of materials pertaining to the history of the Museum and of the arts in San Diego. The collection contains items relating to key figures in the growth of the Museum such as the Bridges and Putnam families, Earle Grant and Pliny Munger, Dr. Clarence and Mrs. Ellis Spreckels Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Irving Snyder, and the Museum’s first director, Reginald Poland. Papers, letters, photographs, and sketchbooks of several important artists including Robert Henri, Donal Hord, William Templeton Johnson, Alice Klauber, Alfred Mitchell, Walter Pach, Arthur Putnam, Roland Schneider, Florence Kemmler Schneider, and Fritz Werner are also in the collection.
For general inquiries please contact the Library at library@sdmart.org or 619.696.1959.
About the MOPA@SDMA Dubois Library
The Edmund L. and Nancy K. Dubois Library holds nearly 23,000 items, all related to photography. Everything from monographs to magazines and encyclopedias to exhibition catalogs, the Dubois Library is a unique collection of books and resources available for use. Come in and peruse the latest photography monographs and journals while enjoying the serene reading room. Library staff is available to assist with research needs and information requests.
Donate
The San Diego Museum of Art libraries are continuously accepting donations. Donated items will be added to the Library’s collection, used in educational programming, or sold at the next book sale. (Held annually on the third Tuesday of July.) If you are interested in donating items, please contact the Library staff at library@sdmart.org or 619.696.1959.
Become a Volunteer
The San Diego Museum of Art Library is looking for volunteers to help in various areas of the Library. Previous library or museum experience is encouraged but not mandatory, and all disciplines are welcome. If you are interested in volunteering at The San Diego Museum of Art Library, please visit this link or contact volunteer@sdmart.org for more information.
