The library is a place of learning and of dialogue between the students and the staff who guide their research.
The catalogue of the library belongs to an online network connected to the catalogues of all the other art libraries in the city (Médiathèque des Abattoirs and documentation from the museums of Toulouse). There is also a link to the catalogues of the Conservatoire, the Museum and public libraries. Two complementary databases index graduate masters theses since 1986 and the institute’s art collection (1538 artworks from 1750 to the present day). 4 high-speed Internet connections allow students to broaden their research.
The modern collection comprises around 13 000 printed materials: monographs, exhibition catalogues, theoretical works as well as conventional books and encyclopaedias, classified by artists and fields. There are 240 periodical titles and 46 subscriptions to French and foreign magazines available, enabling students to follow current events in the worlds of art, architecture and design. These are presented at the entrance to the library.
This constitutes a space of documentation on arts and cultural news, as well as that of schools; there are also notices regarding competitions, prizes, residences, calls for tender, internships and courses.
The audiovisual collection presents 1 500 documents essentially on DVD: fiction, artist’s films and videos, and documentaries. The conferences and other productions from the school are accessible on DVD and via a server.
The historical collection conserves over 3 000 books specialising in architecture, sculpture and painting, in decorative arts, scientific expeditions, methods of construction and materials and around sixty magazine titles that served for art studies in the late 16th to mid-20th century, as well as archives on the teachers of the School since its creation as a Royal Academy in 1750. It is accessible by appointment only on +33 (0)5 31 47 12 32.
The isdaT conserves 1300 artworks, from the 18th to the 21st century, mainly paintings, a few sculptures, medals and graphic works from acquisitions through competitions organised by the École des Beaux-Arts, the city de Toulouse or Paris art schools. The database is available for consultation at the library’s historical collection, by appointment.
Artists in the artwork collection
The archives contain over a thousand electronic and paper files, from past and contemporary students and staff. They are available for consultation at the site of the former collections, by appointment.
Monday 12—6pm
From Tuesday to Thursday 10 am—6 pm
Friday 12—5 pm
Tel: +33 (0)5 31 47 12 30
Anyone doing research in artistic domains can freely access the library. Borrowing is reserved for students, teachers and students from public classes of the establishment after inscription. The loan period is for a maximum of 2 weeks.