Using the National Art Library

Opening hours

Tuesday        10.00–17.30
Wednesday  10.00–17.30
Thursday       10.00–17.30
Friday             10.00–18.30
Saturday        10.00–17.30
Sunday and Monday closed

Special Collections material must be requested by 15.30 on all days.
General Collection material must be requested by 16.30 on all days.

Planned Closures during 2012

Easter

Closed from 17.30 Thursday 5th April
Re-opening at 10.00 on Tuesday 10th April

May and Spring Bank Holidays

Closed from 18.30 Friday 4th May
Re-opening at 10.00 on Tuesday 8th May

Closed from 18.30 Friday 1st June
Re-opening at 10.00 on Wednesday 6th June

Summer Bank Holiday

The National Art Library will not close for an annual stocktake during August 2012.

However it may be necessary to close later in the year for vital refurbishment.
Please refer to the NAL web pages for the latest information (http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/n/national-art-library/)

Closed from 18.30 Friday 23rd August
Re-opening at 10.00 on Tuesday 28th August

Christmas holiday

Closed from 17.30 Saturday 22nd Dec.
Re-opening at 10.00 on Wednesday 2nd Jan. 2013
EXCEPT for Friday 28th Dec. when open 10.00-17.30

Registration

Before you can use the Library you need to register as a reader. You can do this either in person on your first visit, or in advance of your first visit by following the instructions at Regisitering to Use the National Art Library
You may also like to attend one of the National Art Library induction sessions.

Bags and security

Cases, bags, computer bags, rucksacks, parcels or other containers larger than the template on display at the Library entrance (A4: 29.5 x 21 x 7.5 cm) are not allowed in the Library. You can leave your bags in the cloakrooms situated at the Cromwell Road and Exhibition Road entrances of the Museum. Transparent carrier bags are available at the cloakrooms and may be used to carry working materials and loose items to the reading rooms. Personal belongings, such as cameras and computers, are brought in at your own risk. All readers leaving the Library will have their handbags, books and other papers inspected by a member of the warding staff.

Signing the visitors' book

When you arrive at the Library you will be asked to sign the Visitors' Book. You need to give your permanent address (or your ticket number if you already have one) and your seat number. In signing the Visitors' Book, you are undertaking to abide by the Library's Code of conduct, copies of which are displayed beside it.

Seating

When you enter the Library, please collect a numbered seat token from the board just inside and to the left of the entrance. Once you have chosen a token, make sure you sit at the correct seat. A map of seating arrangements is displayed next to the board and each desk is numbered. Some seats are fitted with plugs for laptop computers, indicated by an asterisk on the seat token.

Access to the collections

TheNational Art Library's collectionsmust be consulted in the Library. You may not go directly to the shelves to get your own books or to browse. Whether you have a list of items you want to see, or you want to find out what the Library has on your subject, you will need to use the Library Catalogue to get the information needed to complete your requisition forms. Material is retrieved from the book stacks at fixed times during the day by Library staff. The exception to this rule is the open access reference material which are books arranged by subject, using the Dewey Decimal Classification; they are identifiable by the label REF on the spine and may be taken directly to your desk.

In order to avoid waiting for material on your arrival, you can order up to six items in advance. For further information, see Requesting Material in the National Art Library.

Enquiry services

Readers working in the NAL can seek help and advice in using the Library's services, including the Library Catalogue, databases and National Art Library collections. Please ask at the Enquiry Desk or the Counter. For more information and for details of enquiry services by phone and by post, see National Art Library Enquiry Services .

Copying services

The NAL offers a range of copying services primarily for the purposes of research or private study. For further information, see Copying Services.