“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” Hamlet (I.v.167-8)

Hamlet was trying to explain to his college pal Horatio just how much about the world good, sensible Horatio did not know. And if Hamlet was quick enough to demand Ophelia to get to a nunnery, it’s surprising the he did not dispatch Horatio with a princely command to hence his butt to a library. I am sure Shakespeare left that part out for a very good reason.

We’re all acquainted with libraries of one general sort or another. Even small towns have municipal libraries. There are big city versions and university collection and libraries for use by professionals like doctors and lawyers. But those are only the most common ones. What is striking is the sheer diversity of special libraries that serve very specialize audiences with collections that focus on specific subjects. Many are either open to the public or will answer questions from anyone, mostly for free, though some do charge a fee. What is helpful is to know some out of the mainstream storehouses of knowledge that can provide the answers to those extemely niche questions, the classic cliche of the “needle in a haystack.” (A match and a magnet would probably help that literal search.)

The American Library Association (from which this list is … borrowed)
offers a meta-list of the umbrella organizations for libraries specializing in certain topical area to give you an idea of the breadth of interests of speciality libraries:

There are also groups for many special library specializations:

• American Association of Law Libraries
• American Theological Library Association
• Art Libraries Society of North America
• Medical Library Association
• Music Library Association
• Theatre Library Association
• The International Association of Aquatic and Marine Science Libraries and Information Centers 
• Substance Abuse Librarians & Information Specialists                

For the New York City-area researcher, speciality libraries abound. The NYPL, delightful old behemoth that it is, also features some speciality collections that are both world-class and unique in subject area. (Go browse their catalog, Horatio, instead of checking your texts 200x a day!)

Here are looks at a few of the more interesting ones:

New-York Historical Society Museum and Library Archives, exhibits and an extensive library of New York City subjects.

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Be on your toes a this NYPL branch at Lincoln Center.

New York Academy of Medicine Appointment needed, but some of the collections are morbidly fascinating, like the old amputation kits.