The administrative history of the Cooper-Hewitt Museum's library before 1969 is obscure. Since the Museum became a part of the Smithsonian Institution, it's staff has included Edith Adams, 1970-1972, Robert C. Kauffman, 1972-1982, Ann K. Martinez, 1983-1989, and Stephen Van Dyk, 1990- .
The Doris and Henry Dreyfus Memorial Study Center, a branch of Smithsonian Institution Libraries, contains 55,000 volumes, including 5,000 rare books pertaining to ornament, architecture, and decorative arts. The library's collections focus on interior, graphic, and industrial design, along with books on textiles, wallcoverings, architecture, and design.
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Agency History. Record 221284