Photographic proof of identity is required for non-members of the RIBA to access the library, see below under
Admissions|.
Library opening times 2009
Monday: closed
Tuesday: 10am-8pm
Wednesday: 10am-5pm
Thursday: 10am-5pm
Friday: 10am-5pm
Saturday: 10am-1.30pm
Sunday: closed
Revised Library opening times for 2010
From 5 January, for 66 Portland Place
Monday: closed
Tuesday: 10am-5pm
Wednesday: 10am-5pm
Thursday: closed
Friday: 10am-5pm
Saturday: 10am-1.30pm
Sunday: closed
See RIBA Library news| for details
Location
The RIBA British Architectural Library is located on the 3rd floor of the RIBA headquarters. Both the Library and building are open to the public.
Royal Institute of British Architects
66 Portland Place
London
W1B 1AD
United Kingdom
Location Map| for the Royal Institute of British Architects
File size: 483kB
Holiday closures
Library times during Christmas/New Year 2009
The Library and reading rooms at 66 Portland Place will close 12pm on Thursday 24 December 2009 and re-open on Tuesday 5 January 2010 at 10am.
Other times
The Library is closed on Sundays and English public holidays. In addition it is normally closed on the Saturday before bank holidays and from noon on the last weekday before Christmas until after the New Year bank holiday. The Library reading rooms are normally closed for part of August, but the telephone, email, fax and postal enquiry services remain available.
RIBA Study Room at the Victoria and Albert Museum
The RIBA Study Room at the V&A will close at 5pm on Wednesday 23 December and re-open at 10am on Tuesday 29 December 2009. Please note the difference in closure dates between the two sites.
The RIBA British Architectural Library
The Library at 66 Portland Place is open to RIBA members and the public for reference purposes. RIBA members should bring their RIBA membership card. Access is free to non-RIBA members on production of proof of identity, which must contain a photograph, e.g. passport, driving licence, student university ID, British Library or National Archives Network card. Please note only RIBA members may borrow books.
Most material is accessible on demand. However some material is held off site and has to be collected by staff at set times - 12 noon and 3pm weekdays. Collection is not possible on Saturdays.
Drawings & Archives Collections
Access to the RIBA Library Drawings & Archives Collections at the Victoria & Albert Museum is free to both RIBA members and the public. Viewing of material is done in the RIBA Architecture Study Rooms at the V&A. Group visits must be booked three weeks in advance.
Opening hours:
Monday: closed
Tuesday - Friday: 10am-5pm
Saturday: 10am-1pm; 2-5pm (From January 2010 the RIBA Study Room will be closed on Saturdays)
Sunday: closed
Set collection times operate for retrieval of material for viewing; they are 10.15am, 11.45am, 2pm and 3.15pm. The latest time requests can be made for material to be collected from the store each day is 4pm.
The RIBA Library Photographs Collection
To see material in the Photographs Collection it is essential to make an appointment. This collection is located in the RIBA headquarters at 66 Portland Place and can also be viewed digitally via the online database RIBApix.
Contact details
RIBA British Architectural Library
RIBA British Architectural Library
Royal Institute of British Architects
66 Portland Place
London
W1B 1AD
United Kingdom
Library information (general enquiries)
Tel: +44 (0)20 7307 3882 Mon-Fri: 10am - 5pm
Tel: +44 (0)20 7307 3672 Saturdays: 10am - 1.30pm
Admin, holdings, loans, photocopying, photographs
email: info@inst.riba.org|
RIBA British Architectural Library Drawings and Archives Collection
RIBA British Architectural Library Drawings and Archives Collection
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
London
SW7 2RL
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7307 3708 (desk staffed Tuesday-Saturday 10.00-17.00)
Fax: +44 (0)20 7589 3175
Email: drawings&archives@inst.riba.org|
RIBA Library Photographs Collection
Tel: +44 (0)20 7307 3627/3684/3642
Fax: +44 (0)20 7631 1802
E-mail: Photo@inst.riba.org|
RIBA Main switchboard
Tel: +44 (0)20 7580 5533
Fax: +44 (0)20 7255 1541
Public Information Line
Tel: +44 (0)906 302 0400
Mon-Fri: 10am - 5pm (local time)
Information line calls charged at 50p per minute in the UK. These lines cannot be accessed from outside the UK.
Members Information Line
Tel: +44 (0)20 7307 3600
Mon-Fri: 9.30am - 5pm (local time)
RIBA members only - please give your membership number.