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RESEARCH LIBRARY ORIENTATION: ACCESS OUR COLLECTIONS

ACCESS OUR COLLECTIONS

Online registration

To use our library collection, you need to create an account in the online catalogue. This is done as follows: 

  • Go to the library catalogue here.
  • Click on "Register here" at the bottom right of the screen.
  • Fill in your details and agree to the privacy conditions.
  • After about 5 minutes, you will receive an e-mail asking you to confirm the registration; check your spam box if necessary.
  • Follow the instructions in the e-mail and complete the registration.

 

How can you request items?

  • Log in to the Library Catalogue.
  • You can request most publications via the 'place reservation' button. Note: after this, you need to actually confirm the reservation. Does the title consist of several volumes? Is it a magazine? Please indicate in the comments field which volume or series you would like to view.
  • You can request a maximum of 10 works at a time.
  • Requests are retrieved from the repositories several times a day and are usually available on the day of the request. Many publications are kept in (external) repositories and are not immediately available; it may take several hours from the time you request them. It is therefore advised to request all desired materials via the library catalogue prior to your visit.
  • You will receive an e-mail as soon as the requests are ready.
  • The requested material will remain available to you for 7 days. After this, the request expires and the books are returned to the repositories. Please do not request publications if you cannot come and see them immediately. If you wish, you can set the request date to a later date. To do so, click on 'Show more options' and enter the desired starting date under 'Booking starts on date'. You can also specify when the request is no longer needed.
  • The library is closed on Sundays. You can request materials online on a Sunday, but the publications will not be collected until the next day (on Monday).

NOTE: The collection can not leave the Rijksmuseum Research Library. So you are not permitted to take anything home with you.

When you have finished, please return the publications you have used to the Reading Room staff. Mention which works can be returned to the repositories and which you still need.

Books you want to consult at a later date will remain in your name for 14 days. You can extend this loan period up to two times. At the moment, it is not yet possible to extend loans yourself via the catalogue. You can report your wish to extend to your colleagues at the counter or contact us using this form.

 

Reserve a workspace

In addition to requesting materials, you need to reserve a workspace prior to your visit. This can be done via this link. After booking, you will receive an admission ticket in the mail that you must show upon entering, both at the museum's main entrance and at the entrance to the Reading Room. This is because there is a limited number of places available in the Reading Room. 

You can bring the admission ticket printed out on paper or show it on a phone or tablet. Don't forget to bring proof of identity (passport, identity card or driving licence), which you must be able to show at the entrance to the Reading Room.