National Art Library — Attraction in London

This used to be a wonderful library to visit. However, since it reopened following the pandemic it is no longer open from Tuesday to Saturday. The management have made the nonsensical decision to only open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The opening hours were a contentious issue before the pandemic. The library/V&A management already wanted to reduce the number of days it was open prior to the pandemic but had to back down due to public outcry. The pandemic gave them the perfect excuse. Life is back to normal now so there shouldn't be any reason why it is only open two days in the middle of the week.

I will review my rating - which would be 5 stars - if the opening hours...

Wonderful place with vast collections of art related titles. Sign up as free members to access the collections. No bags allowed but with a member card you can leave at the coat counter for free.

Books need to be requested in advance (to be done online). No pens allowed in, only pencil. Upon entry, sign the visit book, grab a seat number for the reading room, collect your books from the counter inside (when the status of requested items in your list turned 'reading room'.

Items in 'reading room' will be kept for you for 3 days max before returning them to designated shelves. Lap tops allowed without bags but mute it. Photography of book contents allowed...

This is one of the most important libraries in the world. It has an amazing collection and the librarians and desk staff are fantastic and extremely helpful. They will go out of their way to ensure you have the right materials to aid and enhance ones studies.

Certain reviewers below seem to have difficulties in understanding how libraries operate, they are not a university campuses, they are not environs where one brings coffee and sandwiches and has a chat with pals, this is a learning environment, therefore silence is required, and certain rules have to be respected.

I am extremely grateful for such a calm place, as are many others and long may...