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Support NYPL: Frequently Asked Questions

If your question about Library donor membership groups is not answered below, please reach out to the Friends team at friends@nypl.org. For general questions about Library services and resources, please contact Ask NYPL by email gethelp@nypl.org or call 917.275.6975.

Donor Membership Office Contact Information

Conservators: 212.930.0670 or conservators@nypl.org

Friends of the Library: 212.930.0653 or friends@nypl.org

Friends of the Library for the Performing Arts: 212.592.7581 or friendslpa@nypl.org

Schomburg Society: 212.491.2252 or schomburgsociety@nypl.org

Young Lions: 212.930.0887 or younglions@nypl.org

How can I check my membership status?

Please contact the individual membership office in question.

What is my donor membership ID?

Your donor membership ID does not change and is listed on your donor membership card (for people who choose to receive benefits). If you would like to obtain your donor membership ID, please contact your membership program.

What is the difference between a Library card and a donor membership card?

Library cards are used to gain access to materials from our libraries. For questions about obtaining a Library card or to report a lost or stolen card, please contact your local branch or click here.

Donor membership cards are for donors of the Library, the Library for the Performing Arts, and the Schomburg Center. Depending on your program and membership level, donor membership cards may be presented in Library shops and cafés for discounts. They may not be used as a substitute for a library card.

Why isn't my expiration date one year after my gift date?

Friends, Schomburg Society, and Friends of LPA memberships all operate on the calendar year and your membership expires at the end of December. However, if you've opted to receive membership benefits, your benefits will be valid through June 30 of the following year.

My employer will match my donation. Where can I find more information?

Many companies will match your charitable gifts, doubling or even tripling your impact! Search for your employer and find out next steps.

How can I make a gift from my Donor Advised Fund?

Donor Advised Funds allow donors to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend donations to non-profit organizations from their fund over time. Please note that per the Internal Revenue Code, you cannot receive goods, services, or impermissible benefits, like membership benefits, as a result of a DAF gift. Search for your fund and find out next steps.

How can I make a gift from my IRA?

Your IRA custodian should make the check out to The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations, with an accompanying statement, detailing where you'd like your gift to be directed, as well as if it is a membership or non-membership contribution, and mail to:

The New York Public Library

c/o Breana King

270 Madison Ave, 12th Floor

New York, NY 10016

NYPL's tax-ID is 13-1887440.

Please note, per the IRS, membership benefits including, but not limited to, admission to events, goods, or services can not be provided as a result of such distribution from your IRA.

What do I do if I have lost or haven't received my donor membership card?

Your donor membership card is sent with your formal membership acknowledgment and normally arrives 4-6 weeks after you send in your gift. If you have lost or never received your donor membership card, please contact your membership program; we will be able to send you a duplicate.

How can I update my recurring donation?

You can manage your monthly or yearly recurring donation through your Donor Center account.

  1. To set up your account, click here and enter the email address you used when making your donation.
  2. You will receive an email with a link to reset your password. Please allow 10-15 minutes for this email to come through. If you can't find it, make sure to check your spam or junk folder.
  3. Once you've created a password and logged in, you'll be able to view the status of all your recurring gifts and update your credit card information.
  4. Please note that your profile will only list recurring donations made with that specific email address. If you've used multiple email addresses to make NYPL donations, you'll want to repeat the process for setting up your Donor Center account with each email.

If you would like to cancel your recurring donation, please email your specific donor membership office.

How can I remove my name from the membership mailing list or email list?

Email your membership program. Please make sure to include the full name and mailing or email address, as they appear on correspondence from us.

Do you exchange my information with any other organizations or lists?

The New York Public Library does not rent or sell its donor mailing list but sometimes, we exchange names and postal addresses with other nonprofit organizations whose information we believe may be of interest to our members. Exchanging our list with other reputable charitable organizations is the most cost effective way to find new supporters. If you prefer that we not share your information, please click here to request removal from the exchange or contact your membership program. You can review our privacy policy.

What does it mean to not receive membership benefits?

If you choose to not receive membership benefits, your membership donation will be completely tax deductible (to the extent allowed by law). However, you will not be eligible to receive the benefits listed for your membership category. If you have questions about what these benefits are, or the tax deductibility of your gift, please see each program's benefits page (Conservators, Friends, Friends of LPA, Schomburg Society, Young Lions). If you would like to change your benefits status, please contact your membership program.

If you've given through your donor advised fund or IRA, per the Internal Revenue Code, you cannot receive goods, services, or impermissible benefits as a result of such grant.

When will I receive my tax receipt?

For offline and all membership gifts, your tax receipt usually arrives 4-6 weeks after your donation is made. For online non-membership gifts, your confirmation email acts as your tax receipt. If you have misplaced or haven't received your receipt after this time period, please contact your membership program for a duplicate.

How do I know that my gift was received?

Once we have processed your gift, you will be sent an acknowledgment that includes tax information. This normally takes 4-6 weeks after your donation is made. If your donation was made online, you will also receive a confirmation email.

What is the difference between my donor member ID and LIVE from NYPL discount code?

Your donor member ID is a unique set of numbers. It is printed on your member card and will never change. The LIVE from NYPL discount code is the code you must give to ShowClix in order to receive your discount on the Library's ticketed public programs series. The discount code changes once a year in the summer. Donors of $50 or more are notified of the new discount code as a benefit of membership via email.

How do I purchase tickets to lectures at the Library?

The Library has many lecture series throughout the year. These include public programs (LIVE from NYPL), members-only events, and much more. It is important that you check event listings carefully as ticketing procedures vary. If you are having trouble, contact your membership program for assistance. Tickets to LIVE from NYPL events are purchased through ShowClix online or by calling 1.888.71.TICKETS.

Tickets for members-only events may be purchased online, by fax, or by mail.

Online: ticket pages for specific events will be shared in email and print promotions

Fax: Please send your credit card information along with your order form to 212.642.0113

Mail: Please send your check, made out to The New York Public Library, or credit card information along with your order form and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

The New York Public Library
Friends Program
270 Madison Ave, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10016

Tickets for public programs at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture may be purchased or reserved online through Eventbrite and at the Schomburg Shop. You can call the Schomburg Shop at 212.491.2206 or visit in person Monday - Friday, 10 AM - 6 PM, and Saturday, 12 PM - 6 PM.

Tickets for public programs at the Library for the Performing Arts may be purchased or reserved online through Eventbrite and at LPA's Welcome Desk.

How can I donate books to the Library?

The Library is not accepting book donations until further notice. Get more information.

For donations of rare books, manuscripts, and other unique material to the Research Libraries, please send an email to gifts@nypl.org.