Our library is currently closed for refurbishment works as part of our House of Architecture programme.
RIBA Library and Collections services update, September 2025
- Our Library at 66 Portland Place is closed. 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
- access to drawings and archives through the RIBA Architecture Study Rooms at the V&A and Piper Centre outstore remains unchanged at this time (subject to seasonal closures)
- Monday 1 September: We are now accepting advance requests for appointments to visit our library and photographs collections at Crown Fine Art
- Monday 15 September 2025: We anticipate our interim service will open at The London Archives. Before any visit, check our website in case there has been any change to this date
- Wednesday 18 September 2025: We anticipate our interim library and photographs service will open at Crown Fine Art. Before any visit, please check our website in case there has been any change to this date.
- Once our locations at The London Archives and Crown Fine Art are open, we will be able to resume our scanning service.
- 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:
- most of our journals
- biographical files
- 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 registering for a History Card if you do not already have one (in which case you will need to bring ID and proof of address to your first visit).
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
Booking an appointment at Crown Fine Art
The RIBA Library store at Crown Fine Art is open on Thursdays and Fridays by prior appointment, from Thursday 18 September 2025 onwards. Sessions are available from 10am to 1pm and 2.15 to 5pm.
Please note:
- For library appointments, please email librarybookings@riba.org with a list of the books you would like to see (up to 10 items per session), together with their shelf marks. You can find this information via our online library catalogue.
- For photographs appointments, please email photo@riba.org with a list of the photographs you would like to see, together with their reference numbers. You can find this information via our online library catalogue.
- Once we have checked the availability of material we will confirm your appointment. We aim to respond within 7 days.
- It is not possible to browse our collections at Crown, and we will not be able to retrieve additional material at the time of your visit.
- Each appointment is for one person, and anyone accompanying you will need to book a separate appointment.
- Please advise us of any accessibility needs, such as step-free or wheelchair access, so we can best facilitate your visit.
- If you are looking for journals, the majority of these are available at The London Archives.
- 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 our 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. Please check our photography policy ahead of your visit.
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.
