The RIBA Library

Our library is currently closed for refurbishment works as part of our House of Architecture programme.

RIBA Library and Collections services update, June 2025 

Summer to autumn summary

• access to RIBA Library and Collections material previously held at 66 Portland Place is now closed
• access to drawings and archives through the RIBA Architecture Study Rooms at the V&A and Piper Centre outstore remains unchanged at this time
• we continue to answer email enquiries to library@riba.org and photo@riba.org as best as we can. There may be some delays in responding, especially if the relevant material is in the process of being moved. Our scanning service is also paused
• September 2025: We anticipate that our interim service will begin at The London Archives from Monday 15 September and Crown Fine Art from Thursday 18 September. We will be able to resume our scanning service at this point. Before any visit, users are advised to check our website in case there has been any change to these dates
• 30 September 2025: Due to preparation for collections moving out of the V&A by June 2027, our capacity for preparing objects for loan will be significantly reduced. From the end of September 2025, we will be closed to new loan requests from other museums or institutions until after moves to our interim location are completed. An announcement will be made when we can reopen for loan requests in due course. The exact date will depend on our interim location.

Reopening from September 2025 

RIBA’s Library and Collections previously held at 66 Portland Place will re-open at two interim sites, with the following arrangements:

RIBA Collections at The London Archives
40 Northampton Road
London EC1R 0HB

Through our partnership with The London Archives (TLA) we will offer access to the most frequently requested Library material via their reading rooms in Clerkenwell. There you will find:

• journals
• a small selection of quick reference material, including our indexes and biographical directories
• in-person access to the expertise of the RIBA Library team

Our on-site service at The London Archives will be open:

• Mondays 10am to 4.30pm
• Tuesdays 10am to 4.30pm
• Wednesdays 10am to 7pm
• Thursdays 10am to 4.30pm

Please visit The London Archives website for more information about their opening hours and directions.

Please note:

• although users will not necessarily need to order items in advance of their visit to The London Archives, we strongly recommend contacting us in advance via library@riba.org to check availability and the temporary location of the item(s) you wish to see. Because our collections will have to be produced from the strongrooms on site, there will be a wait while anything you order on the day is retrieved. As we are using The London Archives’ retrievals service, please note the collection times (including last orders) applicable to the day of your visit.  
• we will confirm in due course arrangements for accessing RIBA materials on those Saturdays when The London Archives is open. 
• The London Archives has an annual closure from 4.30pm on Thursday 30 October, reopening on Monday 17 November 2025 at 10am. The RIBA team will be observing this closure and resuming service from Monday 17 November. 
• users will need to observe The London Archives’ regulations. This includes obtaining a History Card if you do not already have one. 

RIBA Collections at Crown Fine Art
Union Road, Stockwell
London SW4 6JP 

At Crown Fine Art you will find our: 

• Photographs Collection
• Books collection 
• Early Works collection 
• Library and Collections teams, providing in-person access to their expertise

From Thursday 18 September 2025 onwards we will be providing a service on this site on Thursdays and Fridays by prior appointment only.  

Please note:

• there will be a limited number of appointments available each day, and all items will have to be pre-ordered. 
• appointments to consult material at Crown Fine Art, Stockwell, will be made available from August 2025. A further announcement will be made when booking opens along with the contact information for booking. At the same time, we will issue confirmation of service hours for Crown. 
• readers visiting us at Crown will be made welcome but please note that it is a working store with similar conditions to the RIBA Collections’ Piper Centre. Crown’s security protocols for access will need to be observed and there are no on-site facilities for refreshments. Full details will be given when your booking is confirmed.  

About the RIBA library

Our library offers access to books, periodicals, and photographs in the RIBA Collections. Our collections range from 15th century illustrated texts to the latest architectural journals and photographs from around the world.   

Revisiting the Collections

Our items have been collected and catalogued over almost two centuries, with some items dating back to the 15th century. Some materials and descriptions contain outdated and offensive language or need further contextualising. We are working to address this and to ensure that our collections and descriptions are appropriate to our audiences today.

Donations

Our library is able to run thanks to the generous donations from supporters. If you would like to also contribute to the ongoing work and upkeep of our library and collections please consider donating to us.