Q. Where can I find the architectural plans for the Beinecke Rare Books and Manuscripts Library?

Yale University Manuscripts and Archives holds many architectural drawings and photographs for the building, as well as a great deal of correspondence about its design and construction.   Some of these documents have been digitized and are accessible by searching in our digital library.  There are also several plans published online here: http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Beinecke_Rare_Book_Librar.html.  Pictures from the Beinecke's construction are available in our digital library at https://beinecke.library.yale.edu/collections/highlights/beinecke-library-construction-photographs-1961-1963.

Information about the history of the building can be found on our website  History & Architecture ,  About the Building, Beinecke Library Architecture podcast.

If you can’t find what you need in the Digital Collection, you are welcome to search our finding aids and look for materials relevant to your project that have not yet been digitized. In that case, your first step would be to search the Archives at Yale to identify specific boxes that are of interest to you. Manuscripts and Archives holds several relevant collections, a few of which are listed below with links to their respective finding aids. 

• RU 2, Yale University Buildings and Grounds Architectural Documentation
• RU 1, Architectural Drawings and Maps of Yale University Buildings and Grounds
• RU 5, Yale University Building Project Records
  • RU 106, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University, photographs
  • RU 703, Yale University Buildings and Grounds Photographs 

To inquire about these images as well as their non-digitized materials, please email  mssa.assist@yale.edu.