Local Libraries

Local Libraries throughout Madrid

Almost all libraries in Madrid require some form of identification from prospective users. If you plan to visit a certain library regularly, you will need to have them assign you a user ID. To obtain an ID, you will need to present your passport (or a photocopy of it) and a letter from NYU Madrid stating that you are a student in the program. Please contact Natalia Jiménez the Program Coordinator,  to ask for a letter. For most libraries, you are required to submit two or three passport-size pictures, which may be taken at any fotomatón machine in the metro system or in photo shops. Many Spanish libraries do not have borrowing privileges. Stacks are closed to users, with the exception of municipal libraries and specific locations, so books must be requested by filling out a form and submitting it to the attendant at the counter.  In most cases, however, you are allowed to photocopy pages from books. Below is a selection of some libraries in Madrid. If there is a particular subject area that you are researching, we recommend that you ask your professors or academic staff to guide you towards libraries that will have relevant collections (art history, cultural studies, literature, applied linguistics, teaching methodologies, etc.).

 

Bibliotecas públicas de la Comunidad de Madrid

Each district of Madrid has a municipal library. These vary in quality, but they have reference books like dictionaries, and can prove very useful as places to study. Normally, they have an open-stacks policy and allow users with the appropriate ID to borrow books for a month. They also lend videos to users. Then look for the library you plan to use.
*Access to Madrid’s public libraries is open and free, which means that to go into them and sit and study you do not need to obtain a library card. However, if you would like to take documents and materials for consultation at home or use the Internet, you must register in-person for a library card at the library itself.  Library cards are free-of-charge and can be obtained by presenting your passport and filling out a form.

Biblioteca Nacional

This is Spain’s most important library and one of the richest in the world in terms of its holdings of manuscripts and rare books. It is located on Paseo de Recoletos, 20 next to Plaza de Colón (metro Colón, line 4). To access you will be required to present your passport (or a photocopy of it) and a letter from NYU Madrid stating that you are a student in the program with a specific research purpose. It is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Saturdays until 2:00 p.m. This library has no borrowing privileges, so books and articles must be read on the premises. Check the on-line catalog, then click on catálogo, this allows you to access ARIADNA, the library’s on-line catalog.

 

The Library of the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional por el desarrollo (AECID)

This is a wonderful library with over half a million books and hundreds of periodicals. It specializes in Latin American materials, but its Spanish holdings are excellent as well. It also has a first-rate Islamic collection. The library is located on the back of the Agencia’s building, on Avenida de los Reyes Católicos 4 (metro Moncloa, lines 3 and 6; exit in the direction of the Museo de América).  You can consult this library’s catalog at www.aeci.es, and click on biblioteca. The hours are 9:00 a.m. until 8:45 p.m., except in September when it closes at 3:00 p.m.

 

Reina Sofia Museum Art History Library

The Reina Sofia library is a research and study center that specializes in Contemporary Art. You are permitted to enter with books, notes, a laptop, scanner, and camera. To access the library it is necessary that you bring your passport.* It is located on C/ Santa Isabel, 52 (There is a separate entrance on Ronda de Atocha) – Metro Atocha or Lavapiés
Hours: Monday-Friday 10:00 -9:00 except holidays.

 

The Casa Encendida Library

The Casa Encendida library is open to the public for consultation and research, with resources specifically devoted to subjects developed by La Casa Encendida: Contemporary Culture, Education, Environment, and Solidarity. To access the library it is necessary that you bring your passport.*
It is located on Ronda de Valencia, 2 – Metro Embajadores or Lavapiés. Telephone number: 90 243 03 22
Hours: Monday-Sunday 10am -9:30pm

 

Juan March Foundation Contemporary Spanish Music and Theater Library

The library is open to the interested public and researchers. Consultation of materials requires in-person registration as a user with the library. To access the library it is necessary that you bring your passport.*
It is located on C/ Castello, 77 – Metro Núñez de Balboa. Telephone number: 91 435 42 40
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00.-6:00pm, August and Holidays closed.

 

Study Centre of the Museo Nacional del Prado 

The Study Centre of the Museo Nacional del Prado is a research centre devoted to history of art and the Museo del Prado Collection. As a consequence, priority is given to researchers in this field. On entry, users must present themselves to the counter in the reading room where they must show their ID, passport or equivalent and fill out an application form with their name, address and subject of research. The request will be answered immediately.

It is located on Casón del Buen Retiro, C/ Alfonso XII, 28. Metro: Retiro.
Telephone number: +34 91 330 4016 / +34 91 330 2821  E-mail to biblioteca@museodelprado.es.

Hours:
Morning: Monday to Thursday: 9am to 3pm. Friday: 9am to 2.30pm.
Afternoon: Monday and Wednesday, 3pm to 6pm