Art bookstores you can browse for free

1. 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)
2. 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)
3. 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)
4. 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)
5. The New Museum of Contemporary Art bookstore
   The New Museum’s curators’ input into buying policy means the selection here is as pioneering as the exhibitions themselves. 235 Bowery between Prince and Spring Sts (212-219-1222)
6. 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)
7. 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)
8. 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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