This page contains access information for visitors to the National Art Library, the Prints and Drawings Study Room and the RIBA Architecture Study Room at V&A South Kensington.
Assistance dogs are welcome in the study rooms.
For general accessibility information for V&A South Kensington, visit Access at V&A South Kensington.
Getting here
The closest underground station is South Kensington. This station is not step-free. The nearest step-free underground station is Knightsbridge, which is a 14-minute walk.
Plan your journey with Transport for London.
Find Blue Badge parking nearby.
Getting to the study rooms
V&A South Kensington is an old building with some accessible routes.
There are lifts and stairs to help you move around the museum.
Getting to the National Art Library
The National Art Library is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 10.00 to 17.00.
The Library is situated on Level 2 at V&A South Kensington. The main entrance has two flights of steps.
An accessible entrance to the Library is located in the Design 1900 – Now Gallery, Room 76 on Level 2. This entrance is reached by Lift F, located off Sculpture Gallery, Room 21 on the ground floor. To access the National Art Library you will need to find a member of the visitor experience team to let you through the locked door at the rear of the Design 1900 – Now gallery, or alternatively, you can knock on the door and Library staff will let you in.
The two reading rooms in the Library are step-free with a wide central passage.
Getting to the Prints and Drawings Study Room
The Prints and Drawings Study Room is on Level 3 of the museum. The entrance into the study room is wheelchair accessible with powered doors.
You can access the study room using Lift Y, located on the left just before the entrance to the Learning Centre on the ground floor.
Facilities
Study desks
National Art Library
There are two islands of desks in the Centre Room (seat numbers: 15 – 26) which are 60 cm high. All other desks are 66 cm high. A height adjustable table is also available.
Prints and Drawings Study Room
Study tables are designed for wheelchair users to use comfortably. There is also a height adjustable table in the RIBA Study Rooms area. This needs to be booked in advance by contacting the study room on +44 (0)20 7942 2563.
Accessible toilets
Accessible toilets are located on levels 0, 1, 2, and 3 of the museum.
The closest accessible toilets to the National Art Library are located on Level 2, off the Silver Galleries (Rooms 65 – 70a). Exit the library through room 76.
The closest accessible toilets to the Prints and Drawings Study Room are located on Level 0, close to the Exhibition Road Quarter shop.
Find all toilets on the digital map.
Induction loops
The security desk in the Prints and Drawings Study Room is equipped with hearing induction loops. Switch your hearing aid to the 'T' position to use this facility.
Resources and getting materials
Assistive technologies
The study rooms provide free access to desktop computers and some settings can be adapted to suit needs.
Magnifying glasses are available on request.
The National Art Library has a freestanding 'Twinkle' unit, which magnifies images and text in books and other printed material.
Advance ordering
You can order books in advance of your visit to the National Art Library through the Library Catalogue. You can order up to 8 items at a time, but more items can be ordered for readers with disabilities on request.
Using the study room catalogues
If you require help searching for or ordering material using any of the catalogues in the study rooms, please ask a member of staff who will be happy to help.
Delivery of material to your desk
National Art Library
Let us know if you need help carrying items to and from your desk. Staff will be happy to assist you.
Prints and Drawings Study Room
Your materials will be brought to your desk by a member of staff.
Onsite copying and copyright
The Copyright Act allows the copying of complete works by or for visually impaired persons (VIPs) under certain conditions. VIPs includes those with a physical impairment restricting their ability to hold or manipulate a book.
This applies as long as:
- the VIP is in lawful possession or has lawful access to the original copy of a work
- the copy created is in a different, accessible format
- the accessible format isn't already commercially available
For more information or advice, please speak to Library staff.
The National Art Library has two BookEye 5 scanners where you can make digital copies. If you find it difficult to use the book or microfilm scanners, please ask a member of staff.
Contact us
National Art Library
V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
Contact us online
Prints and Drawings Study Room
V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
Email: aapd.enquiries@vam.ac.uk