The New York Public Library has created a guide to the films and Special Collections held at the Library for the Performing Arts: About. This About resource is a deep collection of the Silent Film Era. "Silent Film" describes the period of early cinema that had early beginnings in the 1800's to early 1930's.

Researchers can find copies of silent films (on 16mm film, VHS, DVD, and Blu-Ray formats), as well as Special Collections of photographs, personal papers and corporate records, clippings, original screenplays, rare books, lobby cards, posters, souvenir programs, pressbooks, trade magazines, technical handbooks, and other advertising materials that cover and inform all aspects of Silent Film history.

The collection focuses on productions released in the United States. The library does hold important films and documents related to European and Asian silent films as well. Almost all of the films are available for check out. Paper based materials held in research divisions must be used on site. Additionally, the NYPL holds books, articles, and documentary films by silent film historians, as well as biographies and memoirs that can be discovered in the library's catalogs and online databases.

To seek out the collection, go to the 3rd floor Theatre, Film and Dance Reference desk during all open hours of the Library for the Performing Arts. The library is located at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza and the entrance is at 111 Amsterdam between 64th and 65th Streets.