Explore the collections on Library Hub Discover and find out how to search for specific subjects such as architectural collections.
University of Cambridge
Cambridge University Libraries includes the University Library and an affiliated library network of over twenty faculty and departmental libraries including the Architecture and History of Art Library. The library collection supports the study of art and architecture at Cambridge. Print and electronic materials are collected as broadly as possible for geographic areas and periods. Visitors are welcome to consult their collection but must contact the library beforehand.
https://libguides.cam.ac.uk/architecture-art
Historic England
The Historic England Library contains extensive collections on the archaeology and architecture of England. Contents date from the late 1500s up to the present day, with parts of the collection inherited from The Ministry of Works. This includes the Mayson Beeton Collection, a collection of some 830 books focused on London and its surroundings, dating from 1633 to 1940.
Other collection strengths include long runs of national and county periodicals, and material collected on specific geographic areas.
The library contains approximately 60,000 book titles, reports, pamphlets, etc., along with 1200 periodical titles, of which c. 400 are active. The collection is reference only and visits must be booked in advance.
Visit the Archive and Library | Historic England
Cardiff University
Cardiff University has twelve library sites including the Architecture Library. The Architecture Library provides information services to the Welsh School of Architecture and houses the RIBA Trade Literature Collection and Rare Book Collection. Non-members are welcome to visit and use the resources within the library.
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/libraries/locations-opening-hours/architecture-library
Royal Academy of Arts
The RA Library holds a comprehensive collection of books and exhibition catalogues on British art, artists, and architects, with a particular concentration on the life and practice of past and present Members of the Royal Academy and the history of the institution, its exhibitions, and collections. Visiting the library is by appointment.
Library and research | RA Collection | Royal Academy of Arts
University of Edinburgh
The Art and Architecture Library provides resources for History of Art, Art, Architecture and Landscape Architecture students. It holds over 20,000 books, primarily for history of art, architecture, and architectural history courses, and more than 80 architecture-related journals. Please check up-to-date information on the Join the library pages before visiting.
https://library.ed.ac.uk/using-library/lib-locate/art-and-architecture-library
How to search for architectural collections and other subjects
Discover’s Advanced Search allows you to enter multiple search criteria, refining your search results effectively. For architecture, you can use the subject or keyword search boxes.
To search the library collections of specific libraries, use the Advanced Search and select the library or branch from the drop-down list.
The University of Cambridge libraries, Cardiff University and the University of Edinburgh libraries have library branches for architecture. To select these, click on the arrow next to the Main library’s name to get the drop-down list of branches.
All images reproduced with kind permission of the copyright holder.
More information on Library Hub Discover:
- Visit Library Hub Discover
- Find out how to conduct basic and advanced searches
- View full list of Discover libraries, with details of their collections
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