The Library for Caribbean Research (LCR) of the Research Institute for the Study of Man consists of a unique collection of over 27,600 titles that are concentrated primarily in the social sciences and history of the English-speaking Caribbean. This is supplemented by a comprehensive set of bibliographical reference guides to the region. In addition, there are comprehensive collections covering both the French and Dutch Caribbean and a smaller collection of works on the Hispanic Caribbean, which focuses primarily on the Dominican Republic. Over 21 percent of the library's holdings are unique to this library making the Library for Caribbean Research one of the few libraries in New York and the United States with truly unique as well as comprehensive holdings on the English-speaking Caribbean.

For the social sciences, the collection is extensive in all major subject areas: anthropology, sociology, politics and government, and economics. In the areas of history, which frequently overlap with titles in the social sciences, there are comprehensive historical studies of the area as a whole, as well as of individual countries and islands. There are histories of specific time periods, such as those represented by the earliest history of the region that focus on the indigenous peoples existing at the time of Columbus' arrival, slavery, colonial studies in the post-slavery era, and post-colonial legacies to the present time. Collections of materials on Caribbean literature, education, and religion are a major source of scholarly materials for any individual doing work in these areas. Government documents which include demographic, census, and other statistical reports, and special monographic collections, such as doctoral dissertations, adds considerably to the research materials available at the library. There also are notable holdings in technology, the arts, pure sciences, language, and the recreational and performing arts. Divisions within these include the medical sciences, agriculture and related technologies; music; fine and decorative arts; the life, zoological, earth, and botanical sciences; English, French, and Spanish Creoles, and cricket and other ball games.

The microfilm collection of early Caribbean newspapers (from the early 19th century) is an invaluable documentary resource with most of the holdings being unique to New York. The microfilm collection now contains over 1,400 reels of microfilm. This includes almost complete runs of 34 newspapers from Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Jamaica, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and the US. Virgin Islands. Among these, the library holds an almost complete update of the Barbados Advocate and the Trinidad Guardian, two of the most important regional newspapers. Caribbean journal holdings include virtually all major journals published in or on the Caribbean region. Journals from the United States and Europe that deal with the region are almost equally comprehensive. Articles from both sets of journals are cataloged on-line (9,400 articles beginning from 1976). Finally, there is the vertical file collection, which consists of over 6,400 items. These comprise short papers, reprints and photocopies of articles not held in the library's journal collection, original and unpublished manuscripts, government documents, speeches, reports, political broadsides, tracts and assorted print materials that provide significant supplemental research information.

PATRON INFORMATION
The LCR is a non-lending library open to the general public. Registration is the only requirement for access to the entire collection. After registration, patrons can electronically search the collection from the reading room by author, title, subject, call number, keyword or combinations of these. Requests for monographs, journals, microfilm, newspapers, and vertical file items are filled by library staff. Bibliographic materials are read and used in the reading room.

Reference Services
Upon request, the LCR librarian will assist patrons in their search for desired materials. This includes assistance in finding relevant materials in all of the LCR bibliographic categories mentioned above. Specialized searches that extend beyond the LCR collection are also done upon request. These include online searches of New York City libraries and other libraries, including the New York Public Research Libraries, the Columbia University Libraries, the New York University Bobst Libraries, and the Library of Congress.

Photocopy Services
Staff make photocopies for reading room patrons. Photocopies cost $.15 per page up to 100 cumulative copies and $.10 per page for over 100 copies. Microfilm copies are $.25 per page. If you are unable to visit the LCR, you may order photocopies of journal articles via e-mail. The cost per article, regardless of length, which includes copying, handling, and first class mail delivery, is $8.00 and is payable by certified check or money order only. Orders are submitted by e-mail at this location - LCR Document Request Service. Fill in the form, print a copy for your records, and submit the order by post and e-mail for processing. Articles will be mailed as soon as payment is received. Notification of order completion will also be sent to the e-mail address entered with the order.

Library Hours
The library is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM. The LCR is closed on Saturday Sunday and national holidays. For scheduling on religious holidays, please call 212-535-8448.

Directions
The LCR is located in a townhouse at 162 East 78th Street in Manhattan, NY on the south side of 78th Street between Lexington and Third Avenue. Directions to the LCR by public transportation and car and a map of the Upper East Side are found here.

Contact Information
Library for Caribbean Research
162 East 78th Street
New York, New York 10021
Telephone: 212-535-8448
Facsimile: 212-535-0084
E-mail: library@rism.org/
URL: www.rism.org/lcr/