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. The Library also presents exhibitions featuring items from its collection. Learn more about Library history and about supporting the Library Acquisition Fund.

Hours

Regular Hours
9 am – 5 pm, Monday - Friday

12 pm - 5 pm, Saturday - Sunday

Dates the Library will be Closed in 2020

• New Year's Day: Janurary 1
• Memorial Day: May 25
• Independence Day: July 3
• Labor Day: September 7
• Veteran's Day: November 11
• Thanksgiving: November 26-27
• December 23-31

Contact Information

Ask a Glass Question
Request a tour
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

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
Vacant, Director of Library Services

Archives & Special Collections ([email protected])
Colleen McFarland Rademaker, Associate Librarian, Special Collections and Archives
Joe Schill, Project Archivist
Amanda Williams, Archives Assistant

Collections Management ([email protected]; [email protected])
Peter Bambo-Kocze, Bibliographer
Kelly Bliss, Lead Cataloger
Emily Davis, Cataloging Specialist, Continuing Resources and Digital Collections
Lori Fuller, Associate Librarian, Collections Management
Julie Kabelac, Acquisitions Supervisor
Sheila Tshudy, Cataloging Specialist, Trade Catalogs and AV Materials
Vacant, Acquisitions Assistant

Interlibrary Loan ([email protected])
Ken Burns, Coordinator of Access Services

Public Services ([email protected])
Regan Brumagen, Associate Librarian, Public Services
Beth Hylen, Reference Librarian
Nancy Magrath, Reference Librarian
Allison Shanafelter, Reference Librarian
Mikki Smith, Reference & Visitor Services Librarian

Rights & Reproductions ([email protected])
Ann Cady, Digitization Assistant
Suzanne Abrams Rebillard, Rights & Digitization Assistant
Allison Shanafelter, Rights & Digitization Assistant