Appointment Booking & faq’s
Please read before booking your visit to learn more about our appointment-only visits, COVID-19 safety, and more!
Note: Visitors have up to 12 hours to cancel or reschedule their appointment. Brooklyn Art Library also reserves the right to cancel an appointment at any time due to inclement weather or health-related emergencies.
Because of limited staffing and out of safety for our workers, each reservation is for a party of up to 5 people. Leashed pets are also welcome. Parties of over 5 people may be turned away to reduce crowding.
When will you be open?
Appointments are available from 10:00 AM to 2:00PM on Wednesdays and 12:00 PM- 4:00 PM Wednesday-Friday. Please follow the “Schedule a Visit” link to view our availability. New appointments will be added one month in advance starting July.
Can I call in advance before I come to visit?
We ask that all visitors book an appointment before they come, as we cannot guarantee day-of availability.
How long will the visit be?
Each visit will be 1 hour. You do not have to use up your entire time, but we encourage it!
What should I expect when I arrive?
Please have your booking confirmation ready. Give your name at the door and a member of our Library Staff will begin the visit. If you asked for specific books, the Library Coordinator will give them to you. You can sit and read, browse the collection, and shop in our store.
Your party will be the only ones in the space, so you’ll have a chance to have a private, 1-on-1 tour with our team. Come with questions (and masks)!
Do you accept walk-ins?
Generally, we do not accept walk-ins as we want to space out appointments. Exceptions might be made if there is a significant time gap or a last-minute cancellation. We cannot guarantee that you’ll be able to check out sketchbooks if you arrive without an appointment, however, we will have pre-pulled baskets of books you can look through.
What happens if I can’t Visit or I’m running late?
We ask that any visitors running late call or email us to let us know that they will be delayed. We can hold the appointment for 10-15 minutes without a call. After that, we will mark the reservation as a no-show and you will have to reschedule.
If you cannot come the day of your appointment, there are no fees or penalties. Please notify us ASAP so we can update our records and schedule our staff accordingly. Check-ins don’t require every member of the party, so no worries if one of your friends is stuck on the subway.
What Covid-19 safety precautions will you be taking?
All visitors will be reminded that they should not come to their appointment if they’ve recently tested positive for or has come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, we ask that visitors who are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms refrain from visiting. Please reschedule or cancel your appointment if you’re feeling ill.
Hand sanitizer will be available and mask-wearing will be strictly enforced, or you will need to provide proof of vaccination. Our door will also be open for ventilation. Staff will also sanitize the space between visits.
I’m looking for a specific sketchbook. What do I do?
Write down the name of a Sketchbook Project artist, call number, or book title in the notes section when you book an appointment. You can also ask for a subject or a theme! Our Library Staff will then know which books to pull for you.
Note: Volume 15 and 16 books are still being processed and are at different stages of cataloging and digitizing. Please refrain from requesting any sketchbooks from these Volumes, as well as any books that have been submitted over the past 6 months, or are not yet digitized. Our Tiny Sketchbooks are, generally, not available for public viewing. If you need to view a Volume 15 or 16 sketchbook urgently, please email us.