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Research library & archive

The Sculpture Research Library is part of the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds, and offers unparalleled access to material on sculpture.

We welcome readers to explore this unique reference resource, and study sculpture in our beautifully designed reading rooms.

The library and archive are free to use and all visitors are welcome.

A woman sits at a desk reading books about sculpture in the Henry Moore Institute Research library.

Opening times

The library will be closed on Saturday 9 and Saturday 16 November.

Sculpture Research Library

The extensive library collections at the Henry Moore Institute cover sculpture internationally, with a particularly strong focus on British artists.

Open Tuesday to Friday, 10:00–17:00 & Saturday 13:00–17:00

Search the library catalogue online

Archive of Sculptors’ Papers

The working lives of hundreds of sculptors are captured in our rich and fascinating collections of photographs, letters, drawings and sketchbooks.

Open Tuesday to Friday by prior appointment only

Search the archive catalogue online

What’s in the library & archive collections?

With more than 30,000 books, journals and unique holdings of sculptors’ ephemera, our library and archive are outstanding resources for the study of sculpture.

Please contact the library in 24 hours in advance if you wish to consult closed access material (including Special Collections and Journals).

Books on a shelf in the Henry Moore Institute Sculpture Research Library

Books & exhibition catalogues

The extensive library collections at the Henry Moore Institute cover sculpture internationally, with a particularly strong focus on British artists.

 

Journals & online resources

Over 30 current art journals are available to browse, alongside back issues of many specialist journals and key online databases such as JSTOR and Art Full Text.

 

Audio-visual library

Our outstanding audio-visual collection holds around 500 films and documentaries, as well as interviews with sculptors taken from National Life Stories.

Our unique resources

Some of our library & archive holdings can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

Contact us

Please get in touch using the form below if you’d like to discuss visiting the archive or library.

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