Robert Sainsbury Library

The Sainsbury Research Unit Library (the Robert Sainsbury Library) is a rich cross-disciplinary resource for the study of the indigenous arts and material culture of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, incorporating books on anthropology, archaeology, art history, history and museum studies. Publications relating to the Robert and Lisa Sainsbury collection in the Sainsbury Centre are also held in the SRU Library, including Sir Robert Sainsbury’s own library. A significant collection of early voyages was donated by John Hewett.

The SRU Library holds around 25,000 volumes, as well as a range of journals (both electronic and print) which complement those held in the main UEA Library. The foundation of the SRU Library was the private library of c. 6,500 titles belonging to John Donne, a bibliophile, Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute and Lecturer at Farnham School of Art (now University for the Creative Arts). The Donne library was purchased in 1986 by the Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Art Trust to complement Sir Robert and Lady Sainsbury’s endowment donation that established the SRU.

Additions to the collection are selected by the academic and library staff of the SRU, with recommendations welcomed from users of the library. As a research library with a focus on art and material culture, print books and journals are acquired whenever possible, although electronic titles are also purchased.

A brief Guide to using the library is available to view online or download. The Library is located adjacent to the Living Area Gallery in the Sainsbury Centre. Staff are available at the enquiry desk during opening hours; please do not hesitate to ask for help.