Library
Library Collections
Books
The NAS Library holds a comprehensive collection of literature on the fine arts, including books, journals, exhibition catalogues, student and staff exegesis, and rare books.
The collection supports the delivery of undergraduate, postgraduate, open course and public programs.
Journals
The NAS Library subscribes to a range of Australian and international art journals and magazines. These are housed on the first floor of the library and are shelved in alphabetical order. Any journal that is less than 5 years old can be borrowed, except for the most recent issue which remains on display and for reference use.
Online
The NAS Library provides access to a range of online resources, databases, specialist websites and research guides. Databases contain journal articles, newspapers, reference material, eBooks and more. Databases and eBooks are available to current NAS BFA, MFA and DFA students and staff.
JSTOR is a full-text database of over 600 international journals and magazines including Art Bulletin, Art Journal, Burlington Magazine, Corinth, Journal of Design History, Leonardo, October, Oxford Art Journal and more.
ProQuest Art Design and Architecture is a collection of specialist contemporary art databases, with full-text, abstract and index references, with coverage from 1973 to now. It includes the specialist indexes ARTbibliographies Modern (covering modern and contemporary art), Design and Applied Arts Index (for all aspects of design and crafts) and the International Bibliography of Art (covering scholarship on Western art history). These include Art in America, The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, Art and Perception, Oxford Art Journal, and PAJ: A Journal of Performance and Art.
ProQuest eBook Central: The Arts covers topics from art, architecture, dance, design, music, performing arts, film/screen studies, and more. With access to content from renowned publishers and 130+ university presses.
Library Services
Research consultations
Research consultations are offered to students to assist in locating resources related to your specific research needs.
During the session you will be shown how to structure your searches and access relevant databases that will help you identify and locate the information you need. In the consultation you will learn about a wide range of online resources including library-subscribed databases (JSTOR and ProQuest), Google Scholar, Trove, State Library of NSW e-resources, as well as other reliable sites such as university, museum and galleries websites. Email [email protected] to set up an appointment, or book online HERE.
Please note:
- Appointments are available Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9am to 5pm
– Bookings are to be made 2 business days in advance.
– For your research consultation to be effective it is helpful that you have a solid understanding of your topic before the consultation.
– The consultation takes up to an hour.
– You can request this service as often as needed throughout your program as your research needs develop.
– This is not a proof reading or editing service.
Academic Literacy
The National Art School has an Academic Literacy officer on hand to assist students in developing writing skills, including grammar and syntax, essay planning and structure, and referencing. One-on-one consultations are available for students on Tuesdays and Thursdays or by appointment. Please book online HERE or email Dr Molly Duggins at [email protected]
Please note that this is not a proof reading or editing service.
Library Facilities
Computer Room
Our dedicated computer room is equipped with Mac and PCs options and furnished with Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft 365.
No bookings required.
Study spaces
NAS Library has a number of quiet spaces to study, including individual study desks, lounges and sun/reading room.
No reservations required.
Printing
Fee based print and copy facilities available on the ground floor and computer room of the library. Colour, black and white, A4 and A3 print options are available.
Large format and premium print services are available at NAS Print Lab.
Refer to the NAS Technology Ecosystem Manual for more information about NAs printing services.
Research help
The NAS Library staff are here to help you with your research throughout your studies. You can ask questions in person any time during business hours, or contact us at [email protected].
The Library staff offer research support workshops throughout the semester. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay up to date on upcoming workshops.
Referencing help
The National Art Schools’ preferred citation method is the Chicago Manual of Style, which uses a footnote and bibliography system. You can view the NAS Library Chicago Referencing Guide for a list of commonly cited source types. For more complex citation queries you can consult the Chicago Manual of Style Online .
Borrowing
Students
Enrolled students can borrow up to 15 items at one time. Two-week loan periods apply to most collection items.
Renewing items is possible in person or online through the Library Catalogue.
Staff
Staff can borrow up to 15 items at one time. Four-week loan periods apply to most collection items.
Renewing items is possible in person or online through the Library Catalogue.
Associate Members & Short Course students
Associate Members and Short Course students can borrow up to 5 items at one time. Two-week loan periods apply to most collection items.
Renewing items is possible in person, via email at [email protected] or over the phone: +61 2 9339 8620.
Fines
Avoiding fines
Keep track of all loans and due dates when borrowing items and return items on time.
- Renew any loans before they are overdue in person or online through the Library Catalogue.
- Take note of courtesy notices sent via email.
- Overdue items will incur fees and prevent you from borrowing, renewing and requesting items.
Item fees
- Standard loans: 50c per day overdue
- Special reserve & 2 day loans: $5 per day overdue (fee accrues at 1pm on the due date).
- Lost, fail to return or damaged items: $100 per item + $20 processing fee (NAS library reserves the right to charge for the actual cost of replacement on all lost, fail to return and damaged items).
Membership
All NAS students and staff are eligible for membership at the NAS Library.
Short course students have free borrowing access to the library for the duration of their course. Please visit the library with evidence of enrolment to arrange membership.
Members of the public can join NAS Library as Associate Members. Associate membership is $80 AUD for a 12 month period. Please visit the library to arrange membership. NAS Library accepts payment via card only.
About
The NAS Library is a specialist fine arts library that supports the curriculum of the National Art School. The collection includes books, journals, magazines, online databases, videos and DVDs. The collection is located across both levels of the library and is arranged according to Dewey Classification.
The collection is intended primarily to support the delivery of the Bachelor of Fine Art and Post Graduate programs. It also supports HSC level, public short courses, the research needs of academic staff and the general public.
Opening Hours
Semester time:
– Monday – Thursday: 9:00am – 6:00pm
– Friday: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Holiday time:
– Monday – Friday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
– Closed weekends and public holidays
Contact
[email protected]
+61 2 9339 8620
The Library Stairwell Gallery is a dedicated student exhibition space at the National Art School located in the Library.
We are seeking proposals from students for small group exhibitions in 2025/26. Follow NAS Library on Facebook or Instagram for updates on when applications are open. You can view previous exhibitions on the Library Stairwell Gallery blog.
CONTACT
+61 2 9339 8620
Opening hours:
Semester time:
Monday – Thursday: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Friday: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Holiday time:
Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Closed weekends and public holidays
Got a young artist at home?
Art Club Term 3 is now open for enrolment — and we’ve got an exciting painting program lined up. This term, kids will explore styles like Expressive Acrylics and Contemporary Watercolour, all while building their confidence and creativity.
Monday afternoons, led by artist and educator Grant Bellamy.
Visit the link in bio to learn more and enrol.
Jul 17
Thank you to everyone who attended the opening night and weekend celebrations for The Neighbour at the Gate.
The Neighbour at the Gate is now open until Saturday 18 October 2025
11am – 5pm Monday to Saturday
NAS Gallery
Free admission, all welcome
Plan your visit at the link in bio.
Jul 15
Announcing Nakari Thorpe as the chair for the Artists and Curators Panel Talk for The Neighbour at the Gate this Saturday 12 July.
Nakari Thorpe is a Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Gooreng Gooreng woman from Victoria and Queensland. She is a presenter and Indigenous Communities reporter with ABC News based in Sydney providing coverage across television, radio and digital. She previously worked as a multi-platform reporter with SBS and NITV covering federal politics in the Canberra Press Gallery at Parliament House and national Indigenous affairs.
Join us for the talk in our historic Cell Block Theatre, 12pm – 1pm on Saturday 12 July, as part of our opening weekend celebrations. Secure your spot and view the full program at the link in bio.
Jul 9
Led by art educators and inspired by James Nguyen’s new installation work `Homeopathies_where trees grow` (2025), join us for a free drop-in artmaking workshop to make your own incense holder out of clay which will become part of the evolving artwork in the NAS Gallery, commissioned for The Neighbour at the Gate.
Next Saturday, 12 July, between 11am – 3pm.
Visit our website to view the full program (link in bio).
The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.
Jul 8
Next Saturday, join us for a fun-filled day of family friendly, free creative activities. There will be sound baths, drop-in artmaking, children`s activities, an artists and curators panel talk, followed by dj sets and food trucks. Stick around for after-hours access to the gallery and the Shared Skies Music Concert with BARKAA, Rainbow Chan and DJ Rocky Stallone (ticketed, 18+).
Visit our website to view the full program (link in bio).
The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.
Jul 5
Just over a week to go until the `Shared Skies` music concert featuring BARKAA, "The New Matriarch of Australian Rap" (GQ), and Rainbow Chan, Artist of the Year at the 2022 FBi SMAC Awards. But who’s counting? 👀
🎫 Concession tickets just $25 — link in bio.
@barkaa__
@chunyinrainbowchan
The Neighbour at the Gate has been made possible with the generous support of the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.
Jul 2
