Contact Information
Los Angeles County Museum of Art Mr. and Mrs. Allan C. Balch Art Research Library
Los Angeles County Museum of Art Mr. and Mrs. Allan C. Balch Art Research Library
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA. 90036
Access and Management
Access
Access to the library and archive is free and available by appointment. Requests for materials must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Some materials require longer lead times for access. Contact Balch Research Library at 323-857-6118 or library@lacma.org or use this form to request an appointment.
Management
In keeping with LACMA's commitment to research and education, the Mr. and Mrs. Allan C. Balch Art Research Library serves the Museum's staff, scholars, students, and the public by collecting, preserving, and ensuring access to information about art.
The Balch Art Research Library is also the repository of LACMA's institutional archive of records related to the museum's past exhibitions and administrative history.
The library includes:
- General Collection—Exhibition catalogs, catalogues raisonnés, auction catalogs, periodicals, art reference books, artist files
- Special Collections—artists’ books and special-format ephemera, rare publications and fine editions, portfolios, exhibition posters
- Online resources— growing collection of e-books, digitized materials, and subscription databases (accessible on-site)
The Archives of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is the repository for LACMA's institutional records of enduring value; collecting, preserving and making them accessible through the Balch Research Library. The Archives also includes a select number of collections relating to artists and others who have made important contributions to the Museum.