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Libraries, museums and bookstores: National Art Library

Opening Hours

Tuesday and Wednesday
from 11.00 to 17.00

How to get there?

Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL

The closest stations are:

  • South Kensington
  • Gloucester Road

About the National Art Library

The National Art Library 9NAL is part of the Victoria & Albert Museum. To find more information about the museum, visit this page. 

The NAL first opened in 1837 as the library for the Government School of Design. It moved to the current V&A museum site in 1857 and named the National Art Library in 1865. 

The collection of printed books and periodicals in the NAL has grown from a few thousand to over 1 million in 2021. Subjects covered by the Library include those central to the work of the Museum:

  • Prints, drawings and paintings

  • Furniture and woodwork

  • Textiles and dress

  • Ceramics and glass

  • Metalwork

  • Sculpture

  • The art and design of the Far East, India and South East Asia

  • The history of the art, craft and design of the book

Accessing the library

You don't need an appointment to go to the library but you are advised to order books via the catalogue before your visit. To do so, you will have to create an account on this page. Accessing the library is completely free. It's a reference library so you won't be able to borrow any books. 

Catalogue