Library and Archive Reading Rooms

Explore our library, archive and public records items in this free to use study space

Opening times

Monday to Thursday 11.00–17.00

Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
The Reading Rooms at Tate Britain

Library

Our Library is a centre of excellence for art historical research, its holdings include half a million publications on British art since 1500, and international art since 1900:

  • Books, journals, ephemera, and electronic resources about art and artists
  • Exhibition catalogues from the late 19th century to recent contemporary shows
  • Artists’ books, photobooks, and zines from the 1960s to the present day

Archive and Public Records

Our Archive collections contain over a million items related to artists, art world figures and art organisations in Britain:

  • Artists’ personal papers, letters, writings, sketchbooks, and maquettes
  • Recordings and photographs of artists, their studios, and installation shots
  • Artist-designed posters

Public Records document the full range of Tate's activities, with thousands of records from 1897 onwards, including:

  • Records of exhibitions from 1911 and Board of Trustees’ minutes
  • Key events from Tate’s history including the 1928 flood and the impact of World War II
  • Tate’s expansion to Liverpool, St Ives, and Bankside – Tate Modern

Admission information

Not visited before? To book an appointment and request items, email: reading.rooms@tate.org.uk

Opening times

Monday to Thursday 11.00–17.00

Location

Lower floor, via the Manton Entrance

Tate Britain
Millbank
London SW1P 4RG
Plan your visit

Contact

Email: reading.rooms@tate.org.uk

Events and Displays

Find out more

  • Tate Library

    Explore our Library collections, a centre for research on British art since 1500 and international art since 1900

  • Tate Archive

    Explore the wealth of material on British art in our Archive and Tate's activities in our Public Records