The Juliette K. and Leonard S. Rakow Library, founded as part of The Corning Museum of Glass in 1951, houses the world's most comprehensive collection of materials on the art and history of glass and glassmaking. The Library collection ranges from medieval manuscripts to original works of art on paper to the latest information on techniques used by studio artists. More than 210 manuscript collections contain unique material from individual artists, galleries, companies, scholars, and organizations. Learn more about Library history and about supporting the Library Acquisition Fund.

Library Hours

The Rakow Library is open by appointment Monday - Thursday 10 am - 4 pm

Questions, consultations, and appointments

The Library will be closed for the December Holidays December 23, 2021 - January 3, 2022

Dates the Library will be Closed in 2022

• New Year's Day: January 3
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: January 17
• Memorial Day: May 30
• Independence Day: July 4
• Labor Day: September 5
• Veterans Day: November 11
• Thanksgiving: November 24-25
• December Holidays: December 23-31

Contact Information

Ask a Glass Question
Telephone: +1 (607) 438-5300
Email:

• General inquiries: [email protected]
• Library donations: [email protected]
• Archival donations: [email protected]
• Rights and reproductions inquiries: [email protected]
• Interlibrary Loan inquiries: [email protected]

Fax: +1 (607) 438-5392 or +1 (607) 438-5394
Mail: The Rakow Research Library, 5 Museum Way, Corning, NY 14830

Proxy Research Service

For questions that require in-depth use of Rakow Library collections, patrons may wish to hire a local researcher to conduct research on their behalf.

This list of researchers is maintained for the convenience of patrons, but the Library cannot vouch for the quality of work of individuals listed here. In addition, the Library does not mediate agreements between patrons and researchers. It is the patron’s responsibility to decide whether a researcher can meet their needs and to come to an arrangement with that researcher regarding services and fees.

Patrons contracting with a Proxy Researcher are required to establish patron IDs with the Rakow Library, in case scanning of materials is requested. For questions about this service or to request a list of local researchers, contact us through Ask a Glass Question.

Proxy Researchers who wish to participate in this service should complete the Researcher Form. Proxy researchers are required to establish patron IDs with the Rakow Library and, if new to the Library, to schedule an orientation with a reference librarian. Information on scheduling a consultation with a librarian and visiting our library is available on our website.

Grants & Residencies

Rakow Grant for Glass Research

The Corning Museum of Glass sponsors the Rakow Grant for Glass Research, which makes available one or more annual awards totaling up to $25,000. The program is made possible through the generosity of the late Dr. and Mrs. Leonard S. Rakow, who were Fellows, friends, and benefactors of the Museum. The purpose of this grant is to foster scholarly research in the history of glass and glassmaking from antiquity until the mid-20th century, from anywhere in the world. Disciplines intersecting with glass research may include (and are not limited to) archaeology and anthropology, art history, conservation, and the history of science and technology.

Learn more and apply.

David Whitehouse Artist Residency for Research

Introduced in 2017, the David Whitehouse Artist Residency for Research is open to artists who want to utilize the Museum’s resources, including the permanent collections and the holdings of the Rakow Research Library, to inform their practice. The residency is named for the former executive director of The Corning Museum of Glass, a highly-regarded scholar who worked to build the resources of the Rakow Library, and was a major supporter of artists working in glass today. Learn more about David Whitehouse. This residency gives artists the opportunity to deep dive into topics and further their knowledge or to provide research for a project.

Learn more and apply.

David Whitehouse Research Residency for Scholars

The David Whitehouse Research Residency for Scholars is open to scholars who want to utilize the Museum’s resources, especially the extensive holdings of the Rakow Research Library, to inform their research about any period of glass. This residency gives scholars the opportunity to delve into topics and further their knowledge or to provide research for a project. Residencies will be up to three weeks in length.

Learn more and apply.

Meet the Staff

Administration
Kevin Reynolds, Chief Librarian

Archives & Special Collections ([email protected])
Joe Schill, Archivist

Digital Initiatives Department
Richard Urban, Digital Assets Manager and Strategist

Library Collections and Discovery Services ([email protected]; [email protected])
Lori Fuller, Manager of Library Collections and Discovery Services
Peter Bambo-Kocze, Catalog Specialist, Foreign Languages
Kelly Bliss, Lead Cataloger
Emily Davis, Cataloging Specialist, Continuing Resources and Digital Collections
Julie Kabelac, Acquisitions Supervisor

Reference and Access Services ([email protected])
Regan Brumagen, Manager of Reference and Access Services
Ken Burns, Coordinator of Access Services [Interlibrary Loan: [email protected]]
Allison Shanafelter, Reference Librarian