University of Pittsburgh Library System

Welcome to the Henry Clay Frick Fine Arts Library The Henry Clay Frick Fine Arts Library is part of the University of Pittsburgh Library System. We are located in the Frick Fine Arts Building, alongside the departments of History of Art and Architecture and Studio Arts, in a unique 1965 building modeled after an Italian Renaissance villa. Our library is entirely devoted to the study of images, objects, and texts. It is a vibrant hub where creativity and research work together, hand in hand.

Explore our collections

While our collections prominently feature fine arts, they also reflect the infinite extent of human craftsmanship and imagination, from textile art to gardening, game art, fashion, graphic design, and more.  

We welcome all visitors to our Reading Room, as well as the adjacent Browsing Room, where you can explore:  

• Recent acquisitions,  
• Local and regional exhibition catalogs,  
• How-to studio arts books,  
• Photography books, located on our Reading Room balcony, 
• Current art magazines and journals,  
• Graphic novels and zines, 
• Rotating thematic collections and exhibitions curated in collaboration with students and faculty across the university.  

The remainder of our 90,000-volume collection is fully requestable through Pittcat at any time. 

Discover our rare materials 

In addition to our circulating collections, our rare and archival holdings complement ULS Archives & Special Collections and consist primarily of: 

• Artists’ books,  
• Underground publications,  
• Limited edition catalogues raisonnés,  
• Medieval manuscript facsimiles,  
• Chinese and Japanese scroll facsimiles, 
• 19th-century architectural texts.  
• Four fully processed archival collections, Art Subject Files, Artist Files, Auction Catalogs, and Exhibition Catalogs. 

All these can be accessed upon request: uls-fineartslibrary@mail.pitt.edu. 

Bring your class or schedule a research appointment 

We offer in-depth research consultations and partner with faculty to build arts-focused research skills and incorporate visual literacy, information literacy, and experiential learning into courses. Additionally, we integrate primary sources and unique visual materials into classes across the University and promote a cross-disciplinary approach to instruction. We are also happy to meet your students in your classroom to enhance their learning experience. 

Interested in collaborating or learning more about how the library can help your students succeed? 

Email us at uls-fineartslibrary@mail.pitt.edu 

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