Art bookstores you can browse for free

Printed Matter
A nonprofit dedicated to artist’s publications, this is a treasure trove of monographs and high-gloss photography tomes. The shop carries many inexpensive editions and boasts a public reading room with more than 15,000 titles by 5,000 international artists. 195 Tenth Ave at 22nd St (212-925-0325, printedmatter.org)

MoMA bookstore
More than 2,000 books share space with art reproductions and design objects. 11 W 53rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-708-9700, momastore.org)

The Guggenheim Museum Bookstore
Stop by to browse recent exhibition catalogs and books on art, architecture and photography. 1071 Fifth Ave at 89th St (212-423-3500, guggenheim.org)

The Whitney Museum Bookstore
In addition to catalogs, monographs, and art history theory and criticism, the Whitney’s store offers children’s and whimsical books. 945 Madison Ave at 75th St (212-570-3600, whitney.org/store)

The New Museum Store
From the eclectic to the popular, the New Museum Store stocks the most stimulating monographs, critical texts, and visual reference volumes from galleries, museums, small presses, artists, and commercial publishers throughout the world. True to the New Museum’s forward-looking mission, the Store procures and produces engaging and thought-provoking books, gifts, artist-designed limited editions, two- and three-dimensional art objects, art periodicals, and a cutting-edge selection of CDs and DVDs. Recently launched, the New Museum Bookmark—the New Museum Store blog (mainly) about contemporary art books—features entries by the store’s Buyer, Herbert Pfostl, as well as contributions by other members of the store team. All sales from the New Museum Store support the exhibitions and programs of the New Museum. 235 Bowery between Prince and Spring Sts (212-219-1222)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art bookstore
Like the Met itself, you could easily lose a day in America’s largest museum bookstore. 1000 Fifth Ave at 82nd St (212-535-7710)

Urban Center Books
The Municipal Art Society’s bookstore offers more than 9,000 books on architecture and the design arts, many focusing on New York. This is a great place to build your knowledge of the city. 457 Madison Ave between 50th and 51st Sts (212-935-2075)

Ursus Books and Prints
As well as new and out-of-print art books, you can browse the prints gallery and rare books section. Carlyle Hotel, 981 Madison Ave between 76th and 77th Sts, mezzanine (212-772-8787)

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