BFI Reuben Library

Our library at BFI Southbank is available to everyone, free of charge. It contains a huge collection of books, journals and digitised material about the world of film, television and the moving image. Our priority is comprehensive coverage of the UK, but the collection is international in scope.

BFI Reuben Library Photograph by Morten Odding

Closure notices

Due to industrial action taking place on the London Underground, the BFI Reuben Library will be opening 11am to 5pm, Tuesday 9 to Thursday 11 September. The library will also be closed on Saturday 11 and 18 October 2025 due to the BFI London Film Festival. We apologise for any inconvenience these changes to operating hours may cause.

Find out about festival library events

Visiting the library

How to find the library, access information and request materials in advance.

Search the collections

Search our database of the films, TV, images, scripts, books and journals we hold.

Search the collections

Digital library on demand service

Request scans of book chapters or journal articles if you can't visit in person.

Library reading room

The Edwin Fox Foundation Reading Room is open to anyone – from BFI Southbank cinemagoers to researchers.

Events programme

We host a range of talks and events throughout the year.

Explore the Library events programme

Library policies

Our acquisition and donations policies, and our commitments to helping visitors and researchers.

We would like to thank our generous supporters.

Principal funders
The Reuben Foundation

Major benefactors
The Edwin Fox Foundation

Additional support
The Hintze Family Charitable Foundation