Ringling Museum Art Library to Reopen to Public in New Space

Sarasota, FL—March 28, 2007-- The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Library,  one of the largest art museum libraries in the Southeast, has moved its collection to the new Education/Conservation Building on the Ringling estate and opened to the public on Monday, March 19, 2007.

            "It is a fantastic home for our collection, serving museum staff, the public, scholars and students," said Linda McKee, head librarian of the state-of-the- art facility.  

            The new square foot space includes an oak room devoted to John Ringling's original collection of art books, a multi-media room for visitors to view films from the Museum’s growing DVD collection, and tables and chairs for comfortable reading and research purposes.

            The library has a collection of more than 70,000 holdings including books, exhibition catalogues, periodicals and auction catalogues. The collection includes rare books from the 16th to 20th centuries. The library conducts and supports research on the museum's collection of Italian and European Baroque Art, 20^th-century Art, Decorative Arts, Peter Paul Rubens, Contemporary Art, and photography.

            The library's holdings catalogue is now available to the public on the internet at www.ringling.org.

            The expanded and modernized quarters represent one more step in the recent transformation of the art museum to one of the top 20 largest museums in North America.

            Library visiting hours for the public are 1 to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and by appointment at other times.  

            The Education/Conservation Building is located on the south side of the museum off Bayshore Road. To obtain more information or to arrange an appointment, please contact 941.359.5700, Ext. 2702.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, in its affiliation with Florida State University, is the largest museum/university complex in the nation.  It preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling, educating and enabling a large and diverse audience to experience and take delight in a world-renowned collection of fine art; Cà d’Zan, the Ringling historic mansion; the Circus Museum; the Original Asolo Theater; and historic architecture, courtyard, gardens and grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.
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General Admission includes the Ringling Museum of Art, special exhibitions, Ca' d’Zan Mansion, Circus Museum, and Mable’s historic Rose Garden, all on 66 acres of lushly landscaped grounds. Adults are $25; senior citizens (65 and over) are $20; children ages 6-17 are $5.  Free Admission for children 5 and under accompanied by an adult, museum members.  Advance tickets are available by calling 941.358.3180. Visit Ringling.org for more information.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Florida State University, is one of the largest museum/university complexes in the nation.  It preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling, educating and enabling a large and diverse audience to experience and take delight in a world-renowned collection of fine art; Ca' d’Zan, the Ringling historic mansion; the Circus Museums; the Original Asolo Theater; and historic architecture, courtyard, gardens and grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.
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