The Franke Reading Room is currently open for on-site, in-person research, but please note that access is available by advance appointment only; walk-in appointments are not possible.
Location and Public Hours
Researchers need to enter the museum to use Research Center collections. The reading room is located to the south of the Grand Staircase inside the museum’s Michigan Avenue entrance.
Research Center materials are available for consultation by appointment only.
Archival research appointments for the public are available Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays,1:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m., and may be requested using this form.
Library research appointments for the public are available Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays,1:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m., and may be requested using this form.
Reading room capacity is currently limited to fourteen (14) researchers per session. Research appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis and will be confirmed via email by Research Center staff.
Researchers must complete a pre-registration process and submit their request for materials one week prior to arrival onsite. Information regarding this process will be provided to researchers along with their appointment confirmation. If these steps are not completed one week in advance of the requested date and time, appointments will be canceled.
Researchers agree to follow the museum’s safety and security guidelines in addition to established reading room policies.
Staff Hours
Information on access and services for the museum research community is available here.
SAIC Hours
Information on access and services for the SAIC research community is available here.
