Stuart
Hall Library

About

Open to the public Tuesdays – Fridays, 10am – 5pm

Stuart Hall Library is a specialist library that centres art and theory publications from the Global Majority, African, Asian, Caribbean, Polynesian, Latinx, and Diaspora perspectives. The library serves as the intellectual and social hub of iniva (Institute of International Visual Arts), its home.

Named in honour of iniva’s first chairman and cultural theorist Professor Stuart Hall, the library holds a non-borrowing collection of over 10,000 publications, such as artist books, monographs, exhibition catalogues, journals and zines as well as an archive of iniva’s history promoting the work of Black and Asian artists such as those from the UK Black Arts Movement.

16 John Islip Street, London, SW1P 4JU

Join The Library

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.

Library guidelines

• To preserve the collections for future use, it is important that bags, food and drink (except bottled water) are stored in the lockers available. Request a locker key at the Reception Desk.
• Only use pencils inside the library.
  Pencils are available at reception.

Search the Library Catalogue

Explore our collections of artist books, monographs, exhibition catalogues, zines, literature and audio-visual material. You can search by author, title, keyword, curator, artist or individual contributor.

Explore iniva’s Archive collection

Explore iniva’s history in art education, exhibition-making, publications, and previous projects centred around Black British art history from 1994 onwards. Email libary@iniva.org our study space booking form 3 days in advance of your visit with a list of up to five items you wish to view.

Plan a group visit or tour

We provide short introductory tours of the library and archive collection during our opening hours to a group size of up to 15 people per visit. To arrange a group visit, email library@iniva.org including information on the theme of the tour.