Stuart
Hall Library

About

From 19 May 2021, Stuart Hall Library is open every Wednesday by appointment only. Book a morning, afternoon or whole day slot.

Reopening timetable
19 May – 9 June: Wednesdays only, 11am – 4pm
16 June – 8 July:Wednesday – Thursday, 11am – 4pm
13 July – 12 August: Tuesday – Thursday, 11am – 4pm
31 August onwards: Tuesday – Friday, 10am – 5pm

Named after iniva’s founding Chair, the Stuart Hall Library is the intellectual and social hub of iniva, providing a context for iniva‘s archive and the opportunity to study the institution’s legacy preserving and promoting the work of artists of African and Asian descent born or based in the UK.

The library offers a specialist reference collection of over 10,000 volumes on the history of contemporary visual art and culture within an international and transnational context, as well as providing critical material on issues of cultural identity.

Open to the public formally since 2007, it also runs talks, exhibitions and events including the Research Network Programme (currently digital). Follow us on social media to keep up to date and subscribe to iniva’s newsletter for announcements.

Book a Study Space

Fill in our study space request form 3 days in advance of your visit. Materials on open shelves in the library will not be accessible to browse, so you will need to request items via the form in advance. Please view our online catalogue to explore our collection.

Search the Catalogue

Explore our collections of books, journals, zines and audio-visual material. You can search by author, title, keyword, curator, artist or individual contributor. Find out more about iniva’s archives collection.

Join Online

Library membership is free and everyone is welcome! Join today by registering online to use our resources. Find out more about our new limited edition Stuart Hall Library membership cards.

What to bring

• Your library membership card. If you haven’t joined, register online and collect your card on your visit.
• A mask which you must wear at all time in the library.
• Only essential items e.g. laptops, notebooks etc. Our lockers are open during this time.
• You may bring a filled bottle of water with you but no food or other drinks.

When you arrive at the library

• Check-in to the NHS Covid-19 app – more information 
• Show your library card to our staff member on the reception desk.
• You’ll be directed to an allocated desk to keep a safe distance between users.
• Your selected items will be on the desk waiting for you.

Safe working conditions

• Wear a mask at all times in library. If you are exempt please let us know.
• Please ensure you wash your hands frequently and use our hand sanitisers where available
• Materials on open shelves are accessible to browse. Do not put back books on the shelves. Place them on reshelving trolleys were available.
• If you are unwell, please don’t come to the library. Notify our library team at library@iniva.org as soon as possible to reschedule your visit.
• If you show symptoms of COVID such as a continuous cough, staff may ask you to leave.

Facilities

• Our toilet will be open and cleaned frequently.
• Photocopying and scanning facilities are available. All requests will be handled by our staff. Fees will be waived until September 2021.