About the National Art Library
The Reading Room of the National Art Library at the V&A.
The National Art Library, located in the Victoria and Albert Museum's South Kensington building, is a major public reference library, as well as being the V&A's curatorial department for the art, craft and design of the book. The Library's strength lies in the range and depth of its holdings of documentary material concerning the fine and decorative arts of many countries and periods.
The National Art Library is accessible to the public as a reference library: all material must be consulted in one of the Library's reading rooms. Before you can use the Library you must register as a Reader. This can be done either in person on your first visit or online in advance.
Once you are registered, you may order materials for use within the Library reading rooms. You cannot borrow items from the Library but you can order material in advance of a visit. Only general reference works are available on open access shelves in the reading rooms; most items are kept in storage and must be requested. Delivery of items to the reading rooms is at set times during the day depending on where they are held. Items must be requested by 16.30 (15.30 for Special Collections) for delivery the same day.
Certain categories of material can only be viewed by appointment and require a written recommendation, approved by the Deputy Keeper. These include illuminated manuscripts and some artists' books. Material requiring an appointment is indicated in the Library catalogue.
Applications to view this material should be sent to the Head of Onsite Access at the email address below.
Contact the National library
Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 2400
Fax: +44 (0)20 7942 2401
Contact us online
View and download essential information about the National Art Library (PDF file, 34 KB)
The following guide describes access arrangements and services and facilities for disabled visitors to the National Art Library, the Prints & Drawings Study Room and the Blythe House Reading Room, Olympia.
View and download Study Room Services for People with Disabilities (PDF file, 64 KB)
A gift in your will
You may not have thought of including a gift to a museum in your will, but the V&A is a charity and legacies form an important source of funding for our work. It is not just the great collectors and the wealthy who leave legacies to the V&A. Legacies of all sizes, large and small, make a real difference to what we can do and your support can help ensure that future generations enjoy the V&A as much as you have.
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International Arts and Crafts
Originally published to accompany a major exhibition at the V&A, International Arts and Crafts presents exciting new research on one of the most popular, far-reaching and influential design movements of modern times. Hardback.
Buy nowEvent - Recording Britain Symposium
Fri 20 April 2012 10:30–17:30
CONFERENCE: This symposium will explore the presence of the past , National identity, taste and nostalgia in relation to the Recording Britain collection of water colours and drawings produced at the start of World War two. Invited speakers include Patrick Wright, Jeremy Deller and Alexander Harris.
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