The Cooper Hewitt National Design Library, a branch of Smithsonian Institution Libraries, is the major resource in the United States for books, trade catalogs, serials, pictures, and archival material covering design and decorative art from the Renaissance to the present. Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and the Library explore the theory, history, process, material, pattern, use, and social aspects of designed objects (ranging from stained glass to computers) as well as the design of gardens, buildings, interiors, theater sets, and cities. The Library also features more than 6,500 rare treasures including several 16th century lace patterns guides, rare 18th century brass and furniture trade catalogs, approximately 700 pop-up books, and historic home decorating periodicals. All of these resources are available for your use and study.