FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions Below
What to bring
What to bring on your visit
- 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.
COVID Awareness
COVID Awareness
- 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.
General Questions
General Questions
Q: How do I join the Stuart Hall library?
Register online for free membership prior to arrival and pick-up your library membership card on your first visit.
Q: Do I need to book a space to use the library?
No, we have a number of study spaces for drop-in visitors.
Q: What can I take into the library?
You can take pencils, paper, laptops and books into the library. Bags, food and drink (except bottled water) must be left in lockers. Portable scanners are not permitted into the library. Sign-out a locker key at the reception.
Q: Can I suggest new resources for the Stuart Hall Library?
We welcome suggestions for new books, zines, journals that fit into our collection development policy. You can provide suggestions when you visit or email us at library@iniva.org.
Q: Can I donate books to the Stuart Hall Library?
Yes, we welcome new books such as exhibition catalogues, artist monographs, art and activist zines and journal issues to the collection. In the first instance, email us at library@iniva.org with details about the materials. Please do not send donations without written confirmation from our librarians.
Q: How do I support the library?
Our resources are free to use but donations are welcome to help main the service. To support our work donate online or in-person at library reception.
Library Resources
Library Resources
Q: How do I find material in the library?
You can find material in the library by searching our online library catalogue. Library staff can also provide help when you visit or by email or telephone.
Q: Can I borrow books?
The Stuart Hall Library is a reference collection with resources available for consultation only. Resources are not permitted to be taken outside the library.
Q: What kind of material does the library hold?
Library material includes articles, artists’ books, CDs, dissertations, DVDs, exhibition catalogues, journals, monographs, zines, tapes and video-cassettes relating to international visual art. More information
Q: Can someone show me how to research a topic?
Iniva’s library staff can introduce you to how to search our online library catalogue for resources to help with your research topic. If you would like this help, please email library@iniva.org to book your visit in advance
Q: Can borrow books through Inter-Library Loan (ILL)?
As a reference collection, the Stuart Hall Library does not participate in the Inter-Library loan scheme. If you are a student at a UK university, items in our collection may be available from other institutions through your university inter-library loan, request through your university librarian. Also, you are eligible for the SCONUL scheme, which gives you access to university libraries around the country.
Q: How do I use the audiovisual collection?
The DVD/CD collections can be requested at library reception and played via the available DVD/CD player. It is advisable to book this space in advance.
Archive Resources
Archive Resources
Q: How do I request items from the archive collection?
Our archive collection are currently not catalogued but a survey does exist on our website which you can search. All requests for archival material will be considered on a case-by-case basis by our archivist. Email library@iniva.org with your request to view archive material.
Facilities
Facilities and services
Q: Does the library have wi-fi?
Free wireless internet is available to library members.
Q: What computing facilities does the library have? Can I bring my laptop?
The library has one computer that functions as our OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue) to search the library catalogue and view our audio visual material. You are welcome to bring your own laptop or tablet computer.
Q: Do you have photocopying and scanning facilitates?
Photocopying and scanning of library materials is performed by library staff and 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 charge per sheet and copyright requirements.
Q: Where are your toilets?
A toilet is located at the back of the library and a wheelchair-accessible toilet is available on Level 1.
Q: Can I purchase books and prints from the shop?
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.