Members and users of the Library have access to unique special collections. Olivia de Havilland, an Honorary Lifetime Trustee of the Library, donated a valuable collection of letters by American authors.

Over the years, other well known figures such as Marlene Dietrich, Sylvia Beach, Janet Flanner, and Nadia Boulanger have contributed their private collections of both fiction and non-fiction. The Library is also home to the cookbook collection of the late Gregory Usher, creator of the Ritz Escoffier cooking school and former director of both Le Cordon Bleu and La Varenne cooking schools of Paris.

The American Library is expanding its collection of art books thanks to a ongoing relationship with Parsons Paris School of Art & Design. All members and users of the Library have access to these art book and periodical offerings on a reference-only, non-circulating basis. To locate these materials, search our online catalog.