In addition to an important collection of monographic and exhibition catalogues of artists, the library also has a wide selection of books dealing with museology, museum collections, the theory of art, artistic techniques, preservation and restoration, the history of art and artistic movements, architecture, sculpture, decorative arts, drawing, design, painting, graphic arts, photography, cinema, museum publications and auction catalogues. It also has an important reference collection (encyclopaedias, dictionaries, books about the history of art, bibliographic repertoires, etc.) as well as newspaper library that may be freely consulted. At present, the number of documents it contains is approximately 33,000 monographic catalogues, 300 periodic publications of which some 140 correspond to actually subscribed collections, and 33,500 small brochures and leaflets.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10.00 to 15.00 hrs.

Tlf. (+34) 94 439 61 42

Services

Reading and consultation in the Reading Room

Bibliographic and documentary collections may be consulted in the Reading Room in addition to an important collection of titles that may be consulted completely freely: encyclopaedias, dictionaries, books dealing with the history of art, bibliographic repertoires, directories, etc. There is also a newspaper library containing the latest editions of current periodic publications. The remaining documents of the collection, their contents and automatic catalogue may be consulted using either the On-line Public Access Catalogue consultation screens in the Library or by directly accessing the Museum Website. Students, visitors and researchers also have microfiche, microfilm and audio-visual materials at their disposal as well as laptop connections. Using the On-line Public Access Catalogue screens in the Reading Hall, students and researchers may access Internet in order to consult matters related to artistic research and the Library's own databases, such as:

• Arteder. The Basque Art Database: founded and administered by the Library itself, this database contains information about the Basque artistic scene from approximately the last third of the XIX century down to the present. Publication of contents and their permanent revision and updating is carried out monthly. Consultations may be made either through the www.bd-arteder.com url or through the Museum's Website.
• International Bibliography of Art: the database that replaced the BHA (Bibliography of the History of Art), a key resource for research into Western art.
• Artprice: a database specialising in art auctions.
• La Gazette de l’Hotel Drouot: a periodic publication about current prices of works of art and art auctions.

Accessibility

The Library is also equipped with an Information Point about Museum Collections that has been especially adapted for people with visual difficulties and impairments.

Bibliographic information and the Training of Users

The personalised treatment dispensed to Users endeavours to resolve any doubts that may arise regarding the working, services and resources of the Library whilst helping them obtain the necessary information and/or documents for their research. Consultations may be made from the Library, by telephone, by E-mail and in writing.

Reserving copies

After accessing the catalogue using the Museum's Website, Users can reserve the copies they might be interested in by using the On-line Public Access Catalogue Website.

Reproduction of documents

Users can obtain black and white photocopies of the different library publications by using a coin-operated, library copy machine. The following standard practices should always be kept in mind:

• You may not photocopy more than a third of any given work.
• You are not allowed to photocopy documents prior to 1950, special publications or those whose state of preservation does not meet the necessary conditions. Library personnel will evaluate the state of documents in all instances.
• Photographs may be taken, but only with study and research aims in mind and after having previously requested permission from Library personnel. Users must always use their own cameras.
• Users must respect the current legislation regarding Intellectual Property Rights at all times.

Inter-library loans

The Library is delighted to receive loan requests from other libraries, both nationally and internationally. It handles Users requests in the same way, provided they are for research needs.

Norms

• In order to access the Library, you must present a Reader Card in your name. Reader Cards are provided free of charge and are renewable annually.
• Collection publications requested using On-line Public Access Catalogue computers are delivered by Library personnel. The maximum number of requests per title per consultation is three. Therefore, one of the initially requested titles must be returned before a User may submit a new petition.
• The consultation of periodic publications for the previous year or for collections that are not currently subscribed to will be made by previous appointment.
• Copies may be requested and reserved using the Museum's on-line catalogue that can be accessed using the Museum's Website.
• Internet access of the On-Line Public Access Catalogue computers in the Reading Room is limited to research consultations concerning Library materials.
• Library material may not be removed from the premises.
• Readers may make photocopies and take photographs of the bibliographic collections within the boundaries established by the Law of Intellectual Property Rights depending upon the state of preservation of the afore-mentioned document.
• Notes, writing materials, laptops and photographic cameras will be admitted to the Museum Library. Backpacks, rucksacks, umbrellas and other bulky articles, however, must be deposited in the Museum's Left Luggage Department.
• Entering the Library with food or drink is strictly prohibited.
• All laptops and mobile phones must be silenced before entering the Reading Room. Should a Reader wish to make or receive a telephone call, then he, or she, must leave the Reading Room.
• All Users of the Reading Room must observe the indications given by Library personnel at all times.