AA Library and Archives
Founded in 1862, the Library holds more than 40,000 volumes on the history of architecture, architectural theory, contemporary architectural design, building types, interior design and landscape design. In addition to the most up-to-date architectural publications, it also houses special collections of material on the Modern Movement, international expositions, and the Garden City movement. The Library receives 110 current periodicals and holds a substantial number of important historical magazines, including Wendingen and L’Architecture Vivante.
The AA Archives consist of 500 cubic feet of documents and in excess of 2,000 architectural drawings, paintings and works on paper. It documents the administrative and educational history of the AA and acts to preserve examples of the Association's material culture and graphic output. The process of gathering together and listing all surviving material was started in 2007 and work has just begun to catalogue the complete holdings and new accessions. For further details regarding admissions, opening hours etc, please visit the AA Archives webpages
Library Policies
The Library's loan, reference and information services are available to staff and students of the AA School and members of the Association. Please see the AA Membership web page for further details.
New Three-week Loan Period
From September 2009 the loan period for standard book loans is changing from four weeks to three weeks for both students and members. The library is taking this step because there has been an increase in the number of books with many 'Holds' placed upon them, despited the purchasing of extra copies. Because of the limited space in the library, it is impossible to add more than two extra copies of any one title. Shortening the loan period will allow existing copies of books to go out more often to users. 'Holds' can still be placed on books by users, and we will continue to recall material as needed for these holds. We are hopeful, however, that students will adjust their use of materials accordingly, and return books within the three week loan period. If members have any questions or problems with this change, please contact the Librarian, Hinda Sklar.
New User Guides
Downloadable Library Guide
Shelf Locations Plan
Loan Policies
Undergraduates and members can borrow up to eight books, Postgraduates and staff, ten. Loan items can normally be borrowed for a period of up to three weeks. Programme books can be borrowed from 4.00 Saturdays until 12.00 Mondays.
Book Reservations
Books can be reserved in person at the library issue desk, by telephone, email or via the online catalogue. Only those books which are currently out on loan can be reserved. An email or letter of notification will be sent when the reserved item is available for collection. Reserved items will be kept for 12 working days at the issue desk.
Book Renewals
Books can be renewed in person at the library issue desk, by telephone, email or via the online catalogue.
The only exceptions to this rule are:
1) If someone else has reserved the book.
2) If you have already renewed the book twice consecutively.
3) If you owe more than £10 in estimated fines.
Overdue Books
Overdue material is charged at the following rates: loan items 10p per day, per item; Programme Books £5 per day (deadline for return: 12.00, Mondays). Overdue notices will be sent out on Mondays by email. It is the responsibility of students and members to ensure that the AA Registrar or Membership Office holds their current email and street address.
Lost Books
If a book has been lost, it is important that the Library be informed of this as soon as possible. The normal overdue fines and proceedure will apply to lost items if the Library has not been informed of the loss. It is the user's responsibility to replace any lost items to a time schedule set by the Library, otherwise a processing fee of £50 per item will apply.
