Edward P. Taylor Library & Archives

The E.P. Taylor Library & Archives is a leading Canadian centre for research in art.

The AGO Library & Archives is open to the public on Wednesdays from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, and by appointment on Thursdays and Fridays. Access to rare and artists’ books, archives and special collections is always by appointment. Through our public programs, visitors can engage with our specialized collections and staff. The Library & Archives is open free of charge to the public. Our collections do not circulate.

To book an appointment for access to rare books, archives and special collections, please send an email to [email protected]

Search Library Collections

Please use the online library catalogue to search for book titles in advance of your visit.

SEARCH LIBRARY COLLECTION

Search Archives and Special Collections

AGO Archives and Special Collections holdings may be searched and browsed using our Archival Description Database. Some finding aids are not yet searchable in the database but can be accessed on request – please contact us for more information.

SEARCH ARCHIVES & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

What's in our Collection?

Learn about the Library & Archives collection areas and view collection highlights.

LEARN MORE

Digitized AGO Publications

A growing collection of digitized AGO publications and exhibition catalogues is available through the Internet Archive library.

ACCESS DIGITIZED PUBLICATIONS

Library Hours

Harmful language in cataloguing and collections

The collections and information systems of the Edward P. Taylor Library & Archives reflect the deep biases of the institutional and cultural context in which we work.

Archival and library cataloguing practice compels us to maintain the historical language of documents and publications in its original form, in order to preserve the context of creation and allow for critical assessment by contemporary researchers. Book and exhibition titles from the past are examples of language we cannot change, but we acknowledge that some of this language is offensive and hurtful.

Standardized cataloguing terms and descriptive practices are shaped by the same biases, but we have greater power and responsibility to change these. The staff of the Library & Archives is working steadily to revise our cataloguing practices using respectful and inclusive language, and to incorporate anti-bias principles in our work going forward. Ongoing efforts include monitoring changes to Library of Congress terms, the development and addition of local subject headings, and policy development for harmful language in archives.

We actively welcome feedback from all sources so we can listen, learn, and adjust our practices.

SUBMIT FEEDBACK

Donations to the Library & Archives Collection

The Library & Archives gratefully considers offers of gifts-in-kind to our rare books, artists’ books and archival collections. All gifts will be assessed in relation to the existing strengths of our collections and our capacity to care for and provide access to the collections as they grow. Please contact us at [email protected].

Kindly note that we no longer accept gifts-in-kind to the Main library collection, i.e. general art books.

Upcoming Programs & Events

Library & Archives programs provide opportunities for members of the public to have meaningful encounters with the library and its collections.

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Past Programs & Events

 

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