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Libraries, museums and bookstores: BFI Reuben Library

Opening Hours

Tuesday to Saturday 11:00-19:0

How to get there?

BFI Southbank
Belvedere Road
South Bank
London SE1 8XT

The closest stations are:

  • Waterloo
  • Embankment
  • Charing Cross

About the BFI and the Reuben Libray

BFI stands for British Film Institute. It was established in 1993 as a charitable organization. Its aims are :

  • to encourage the development of the arts of film, television and the moving image throughout the United Kingdom,
  • to promote their use as a record of contemporary life and manners,
  • to promote education about film, television and the moving image generally, and their impact on society,
  • to promote access to and appreciation of the widest possible range of British and world cinema 
  • to establish, care for and develop collections reflecting the moving image history and heritage of the United Kingdom.

The Reubeun Library opened in 2012 after a 180 m2 former gallery space became free at BFI Southbank. It was designed by London studio Coffey Architects. The library's collection covers all aspects of film and television study. It covers the history of cinema and television from its origins to the present day. Within the collection, you can find materials about :

  • animation
  • film theory
  • musicals
  • practical filmmaking guides
  • marketing
  • different national cinemas from around the world
  • major collections on British and American cinema

Accessing the library

The BFI Reuben library is free to all. You don't even need a card to access it except if you want to use any books, journals or other materials. You do not need to book and can drop in at any time during library opening hours.

The library is encouraging customers to order materials in advance of their visit. To do so, click here. 

As the BFI Reuben Library is a reference library, you can't take out any book from it. You will have to consult the documents on-site. 

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