Request Access

Special access is required to use materials in the Research Library, Rare Book Collection, and Image Collections and Fieldwork Archives.

Access is available for individuals who meet one of the following criteria:

Former Dumbarton Oaks Fellow
Scholar holding a doctorate in those subjects collected at Dumbarton Oaks (or an MLA in Landscape Architecture)
Currently enrolled doctoral student who has satisfied all course requirements and is working on his or her dissertation
Spouse or partner of a current fellow who possesses appropriate academic qualifications in his or her own right
Other applicants, at the librarians’ discretion. Applicants should demonstrate a strong need for access by providing titles and call numbers of those books at Dumbarton Oaks that cannot be found in other D.C.-area libraries, such as the Library of Congress.

Submit the online form one week before your visit, along with a letter of reference, sent to Library@doaks.org, from an expert in your field. You do not need to submit a letter of reference if you are a former Dumbarton Oaks Fellow or if you are requesting a badge renewal.

First-time library users are required to have an appointment with security and an orientation with the reader services librarian. Appointments are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays (except federal holidays).

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Institutional Affiliation

Request Type Indicate whether you are requesting first-time access or badge renewal.

First-time access Badge renewal

Postal Address

Academic Background E.g., PhD in anthropology; MLArch; completing dissertation in classics. Include name of degree-granting institution. For reader badge renewal, write RENEWAL.

Research Topic Briefly describe your research topic and need for access to our library’s collections. Applicants not meeting criteria listed above must demonstrate a strong need for access by providing titles and call numbers of those books at Dumbarton Oaks that cannot be found in other DC-area libraries, such as the Library of Congress. For reader badge renewal, write RENEWAL.

Visit to the Library Please enter the date you will visit the library. First time visitors: Library and security orientations are scheduled at 10:00 a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. For renewals, indicate your next visit to the library.

Reserve Shelf Would you like a reserve shelf for your visit?

yes no

Departure Date If you are requesting a reserve shelf, provide the last day you will be using the library so staff can remove your reserve shelf. If you are local to DC or will be back to use the library within 3 months, indicate that.

Are You Human?

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