London Library

Sotheby's Institute of Art Library is a small, specialised resource that supports teaching at the Institute. The library provides key resources for the taught elements of the MA/PgDip courses during the first two semesters.

These resources enable students to fulfill course work including seminar papers, group projects and cataloging exercises.

The library is contactable via email: library@sothebysinstitute.com or by phone: +44 (0) 20 7462 3230.

Library Collection

The library has a collection of around 15,000 books and pamphlets covering the fine and decorative arts including painting, drawing, ceramics, furniture, interiors and design.

Coverage of specific subject areas includes art business, Asian art and design, photography, museum collections, exhibition catalogues, patronage and connoisseurship.

In addition, the library holds the last 10 years of Christie's and Sotheby's sales catalogues. The library takes 50 current journal titles in hardcopy format including Artforum, Art in America, Art Newspaper, Apollo and the Burlington Magazine.

Bound copies of Sotheby's Institute MA dissertations dating back to 1992 are available for consultation in the library.

Library Catalogue

Liberty4 is the library's online catalogue. It is accessible via the internet at: http://liberty4.sothebysinstitute.com/liberty4

Online Databases

The library subscribes to a number of online bibliographic and image databases as well as art market research databases. Bibliographic databases include: ArtBibliographies Modern, Art Index Retrospective, JSTOR, ArtFulltext, JSTOR and Business Source Premier. Art market research databases include: Art Net, Invaluable and Art Price. The library also subscribes to Bridgeman Education and Artstor for images. 

Library Facilities

The library has three workstations which can be used to search the library catalogue. In addition 2 multifunction colour photocopiers are located on the ground floor.

Each student will be issued with an ID card at the start of the academic year which will provide access to the building, be used in the library to borrow books and use the photocopiers.

Wireless Access is available throughout the institute. The top floor of the library is reserved for quiet studying.

Other Libraries in London

The Institute Library provides a useful starting point for dissertation research, and detailed research is further supported by the number of internationally renowned research libraries located in London. These include the British Library and the National Art Library. Sotheby's Institute of Art students have free access to both of the libraries mentioned above and should make use of them during their period of study.