First opened in 1965, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts houses one of the world’s most extensive combinations of circulating, reference, and rare archival collections in its field. These materials are available free of charge, as are a wide range of special programs, including exhibitions, seminars, and performances. An essential resource for anyone with an interest in the arts, LPA is renowned for its prodigious collections of non-book materials such as historic recordings, videotapes, manuscripts, correspondence, sheet music, stage designs, press clippings, programs, posters, photographs and more.