The Art School’s library supports students’ studio practice and critical studies by providing technical, contextual, visual and art historical resources. The library’s collection of books, DVDs and journals has been developed to support the Art School’s key areas of study, with strengths in conservation, carving, fine art, mosaics, craft, and material culture. The loan collection is made up of upwards of 11,000 books, exhibition catalogues and DVDs; complemented by a reference collection of magazines and journals including: Art Monthly, Cabinet, Crafts, Frieze, Journal of the Institute of Conservation, Mass Sculpture, Modern Painters, Natural Stone Specialist, Selvedge, Stonexus, Studies in Conservation, Turps Banana and Wood Carving.
The library catalogue allows students to search across these collections. The library has a dedicated quiet study area, with a number of computers available for use, enabling students to make use of online resources such as JSTOR and Oxford Art Online. An archive of undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations from Fine Art and Carving is available for consultation; and a special collection of historical portfolios with architectural and sculptural images may also be accessed.
The Librarian offers regular workshops on research skills, referencing and citations to all departments. Students are also encouraged to make use of the wealth of outstanding specialist art libraries in London, and are supported by the librarian in applying to use these external resources.
Art School alumni can apply for a temporary guest pass to visit the Library and consult its collections for reference purposes. A Library Guest Pass Application should be completed at least 48 hours before visiting. As Library capacity is limited access may be restricted during particularly busy periods of the year.