External visitors
The Courtauld Libraries are open to external visitors by appointment only. Bookings must be made at least five days in advance. Please do not travel to The Courtauld if you wish to view exhibition catalogues, journals, sales catalogues, special collections or theses until a member of staff confirms they are available.
How to Book
You can book an appointment via our Booking Page
1. Choose the session that suits you
Each session lasts one hour and 45 minutes.
2. Share your details
We will only use your email address to confirm your booking and for visiting arrangements.
3. Tell us as much as you can about the material you would like to see
You will be able to browse the shelves at Vernon Square but we will need to recall theses and some exhibition catalogues from our remote storage. These can take 3-5 working days to arrive on-site. Please do not travel to the Library unless a librarian has confirmed your appointment.
4. Check your email for confirmation of your booking
We will send you a booking confirmation email and an automatic reminder the day before your booking.
If you need assistance or need to cancel your appointment, please contact us.
SCONUL Access Visitors
The Courtauld libraries participate in the SCONUL Access scheme under ‘Band C’ and ‘Band A’. This means that visitors wishing to access the Courtauld Libraries under the scheme, which offers members borrowing entitlements, must be either a Postgraduate student, PhD/research student or staff from other institutions.
SCONUL membership is a two step process:
- Firstly, joining the scheme online and waiting for confirmation from your home institution;
- Secondly, checking the visitor opening hours etc. of the Library that you want to visit and then booking your visit.
You can find more information on the scheme on the SCONUL Access webpages. You can find our opening times here, and you can email us at library@courtauld.ac.uk.
Travelling to the Libraries
Please see our Getting Here page for details of travel to Vernon Square.
