Membership
The unique collections of the Warburg Library, Photographic Collection and Archive are accessible free of charge to academic researchers.
While we welcome all visitors to our events, public gallery and exhibitions, our specialist research collections are accessible to the categories of reader below.
How to join the Library, Photographic Collection and Archive
Academic staff and fellows
Free membership for academic staff and fellows from any university worldwide
To join, please bring a valid university staff card
If your staff card does not include a photo, please also bring some other form of photographic ID
Your card must indicate clearly that you are academic staff. If it doesn't, please bring a letter from your department confirming your status
There is no need to make an appointment to visit the Library or Photographic Collection (see our opening times here). An appointment is required to visit the Archive.
PhD/MPhil students
Free membership for postgraduate students from any university worldwide
To join, please bring a valid student card
If your student card does not include a photo, please also bring some other form of photographic ID
Your card must indicate clearly that you are a postgraduate student. If it doesn't, please bring a letter from your supervisor or department confirming your status
There is no need to make an appointment to visit the Library or Photographic Collection (see our opening times here). An appointment is required to visit the Archive.
MA/MSc students
Free membership for postgraduate students from any university worldwide
To join, please bring a valid student card
If your student card does not include a photo, please also bring some other form of photographic ID
Your card must indicate clearly that you are a postgraduate student. If it doesn't, please bring a letter from your tutor or department confirming your status
There is no need to make an appointment to visit the Library or Photographic Collection (see our opening times here). An appointment is required to visit the Archive.
Undergraduate students
Free membership for undergraduate students from any university worldwide
To join, please bring a valid student card and a letter or email of recommendation from an academic referee. This should indicate what material you need to consult in the Library and the length of access you require
If your student card does not include a photo, please also bring some other form of photographic ID
There is no need to make an appointment to visit the Library or Photographic Collection (see our opening times here). An appointment is required to visit the Archive.
Professional staff of public museums, libraries and galleries
Free membership for professional staff from any public museum, library or gallery worldwide
To join, please bring a valid staff card
If your staff card does not include a photo, please also bring some other form of photographic ID
Your card must indicate clearly that you are professional staff. If it doesn't, please bring a letter from your institution confirming your status
There is no need to make an appointment to visit the Library or Photographic Collection (see our opening times here). An appointment is required to visit the Archive.
Independent researchers
Free membership for independent scholars undertaking academic research who show a demonstrable interest in subjects covered by the collections
To join, please bring valid photographic ID (e.g. passport, driving licence, national ID card), proof of address and a letter or email of recommendation from a professional source, such as an academic, publisher or gallery
Please note that independent researchers may be issued with temporary library cards, depending on research needs
There is no need to make an appointment to visit the Library or Photographic Collection (see our opening times here). An appointment is required to visit the Archive.
Commercial researchers
Free membership for commercial researchers from e.g. auction houses, private galleries, publishers and TV production companies
To join, please bring a valid staff card and a letter or email from your place of work which should indicate your need to consult research material held in the Library
If your staff card does not include a photo, please also bring some other form of photographic ID
Please note that commercial researchers are usually issued with temporary library cards
There is no need to make an appointment to visit the Library or Photographic Collection (see our opening times here). An appointment is required to visit the Archive.
Letters of acceptance
If you require a letter of acceptance from the Library in order to apply for research funding for your visit, please email us at warburg.library@sas.ac.uk. We are happy to provide an invitation to use the library in advance of your visit and another letter at the end of your stay to confirm that you made use of the library.
International PhD students registered for a PhD in their own country may alternatively join the Institute as an occasional student. Find out more about becoming an occasional student.
Access and Security
When visiting the Library for the first time, please check above to see what you need to bring with you in order to request a reader's card.
The Library is a reference-only collection and books may not be borrowed.
Bags are not permitted in the Library and collections. All bags should be stored in a locker before entering the Library. Ask at the Reading Room desk if you would like to buy a clear plastic bag to hold your belongings.
Large suitcases, holdalls and rucksacks are not permitted in the Institute. Bags must be small enough to be stored in a locker (41 x 24 x 42 cm). There are left luggage facilities at Euston, Kings Cross and St Pancras International rail stations where larger luggage may be stored while you visit the Library.
Although incidents are extremely rare, valuable items should not be left unattended in the Library. The Warburg Institute accepts no responsibility if such items are damaged or stolen while in the Library.
A buzzer is sounded 20 minutes and 10 minutes before the library closes. Please make sure that you leave promptly at closing time.
