The Library is open to the public Monday-Friday 1:00 to 4:00 p.m, and open for Ringling Members Monday-Friday 10:00-4:00pm.

Established with The Ringling’s opening in 1946, the Art library is one of the largest and most comprehensive art research libraries in the southeastern United States. Located in the Education Center, the collection strengths reflect those of the Museum’s collections and The Ringling experience.

The Reading Room overlooks the scenic grounds of the Museum and provides a comfortable area for reading and research. While the collection does not circulate, the Library is available to the public and the stacks are open for browsing. Some materials are available to university students through Interlibrary Loan.

Collection Highlights

• Total holdings of 70,000 items
• Specialized art databases, including auction-results databases, and access to FSU 600+ databases
• Books and other materials spanning the history of art and architecture
• Extensive holdings in the areas of European Art, especially Renaissance and Baroque; the circus; Studio Glass; museum studies, collectors and collecting; and Asian Art
• The personal library of John and Mable Ringling
• A collection of rare books from the 16th century to the present
• Auction catalogues from the 1930s to the present
• Juvenile literature about art
• An Artists’ File of contemporary artists
• More than 100 journal/magazine subscriptions