The Library of the Essl Museum was founded when the new museum was opened in November 1999. At that time it already held more than 5,000 titles, consistently collected by Agnes and Karlheinz Essl since 1973. As of 1987, the surge of exhibitions at the Schömer Haus and especially at the Essl Museum brought a wealth of new additions.

Currently, holdings comprise approximately 20,000 media featuring the art scene of the 20th and 21st centuries, in particular books, exhibition catalogues, auction catalogues, art magazines and modern information tools, such as videos, CDs and DVDs. Every year we receive approximately 2000 volumes by library exchange, donations and acquisitions.

Monographs (over 10,000 catalogues) constitute the core of the Library, and we seek to give precedence to literature on artists whose works are part of the Essl Collection. Moreover, works on contemporary Austrian art since 1945, as well as books and catalogues on Australian aboriginal art, figure prominently among the Library’s holdings.

Our Library was conceived as a reference library; in other words, books cannot be borrowed by visitors, but we do provide copying services. We also make available study material on ongoing exhibitions on closed reserve. The library of the Essl Museum is equally open to users not visiting the museum, who are requested to contact staff at the reception.