Frick Art Research Library — Attraction in New York

Caveat: this is a review for a specific staff member, not for the library itself. The Frick Art Reference Library is a GEM of an institution, with a wealth of knowledge and resources. The staff members and archivists are generally friendly and helpful with the exception of one:

I don't want to name names, but I'll just describe her as librarian B - if you've been to the library at the Frick, you'll know exactly who she is - on the shorter side, cropped blonde hair, usually with an Alice in Wonderland outfit cum ugly bow or headband - I don't know what her problem is, but this woman is the absolute worst - extremely rude, with a severe attitude, and downright unhelpful. Whenever I, or my colleagues, have asked her for assistance she acts like the world is crumbling and huffs a huge sigh and gives a nasty look before finally helping you. She is constantly second-guessing any research requests and often makes you jump through hoops to achieve what you need; whether it's in requesting substantial files from the photoarchives, if you can't find a book on the shelf, or if a request has not arrived and/or gone through on FRESCO she stares you down and insinuates you've done it incorrectly or asked if you've already completed ABC, XYZ in a rude or aggressive tone, before addressing the issue at hand. I don't believe it's just me or my organization who has an issue either, as I've chatted with other friends in the art world who are in different capacities (academic, commercial, private, etc) who use the library and they've all expressed similar feeling about this person.

She consistently makes any visit to the library unpleasant and if I see her behind the counter I either turn and go to the next person, or if she's alone, sit it out and wait until somebody else comes along.

LIBRARY USERS BEWARE - by in large everyone else at the library is lovely - the head librarian, photoarchive / book pagers, etc - but stay away from this wretch. It's librarians like this one who perpetrate the negative connotations that often surround library science...

Visiting the Frick Reference Library has become a staple of my research routine. I came to the library for specific hard-to-find items, but I will continue returning to the library for the kind, helpful, and knowledgable librarians, the highly organized and professional research atmosphere, and a bottomless collection of...

The art work here is great. I enjoy visiting this place. The paintings here are wonderful. You feel like you are in Paris when you go here.The furniture...