The Chantry Library is an independent library specialising in the technical literature of conservation, preservation, and collection care. We have a strong focus on paper and books, and some of our holdings are entirely unique. The collection includes information produced outside traditional academic or commercial publishing, such as reports, working papers, newsletters, etc. We also hold a number of collections of personal papers and archival material donated by conservators and conservation institutions.

We welcome queries from all those with an interest in conservation, technical art history, and materiality. Please see Reader Information for details on how to use the library and get in touch.

We also offer a number of Subject Bibliographies on specific conservation topics, compiled and annotated by specialists. The bibliographies cover such diverse topics as Egyptian tomb painting, Byzantine and post-Byzantine bookbindings, South Asian paper, and more. These resources are free and available to all.

While we no longer run an active blog, please do visit our Blog Archive to read our older posts, including book recommendations and reader reports.

The Chantry Library is managed by the Oxford Conservation Consortium.