Stuart
Hall Library

About

We will be closed for the holidays from 23 December until 3rd January

We are open every Tuesday – Friday, 10am – 5pm. Drop-in during our opening hours or book a dedicated study space below.

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. Follow us on social media to keep up to date and subscribe to iniva’s newsletter for announcements.

Book a Study Space

Do you want a dedicated study space for a morning, afternoon or whole day slot? Fill in our study space request form 3 days in advance of your visit, with the list of items you would like reserved for your study session.

Search the Library 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 and pick up your limited edition membership card on your first visit. Find out more

What to bring

• Your library membership card.
• A mask to wear at all times when moving around the library.
• Only essential items e.g. laptops, notepad and pencil. Lockers will be provided to place your bags and valuable items.
• A bottle of water with a secure lidded cap. No food or other drinks is permitted to ensure the preservation of the collections.

Safe working conditions

• If you are unwell, please don’t come to the library. If you show symptoms of cold or COVID, staff may ask you to leave.
• Wear a mask at all times when moving around the library. If you are exempt please let us know.
• Wash your hands frequently and use our hand sanitisers where available
• Do not put books back on the open shelves. Place them on our reshelving trolleys where available or leave on your desk.

Facilities

• A toilet is located at the back of the library and a wheelchair accessible toilet is available on Level 1.
• Photocopying and scanning of library materials is available but charges apply. Photocopying and scanning is permitted for private use and research only within the limits of copyright law. Please ask at the reception desk about the charges and copyright requirements.
• Our shop is open! You can purchase iniva publications, emotional learning cards and artists prints from the reception desk. We will only be accepting card payments at this time.