The library

The Abattoirs library offers multiple approaches to contemporary creation through art books, artists' books and exhibitions.

The library will be closed from Friday 19 July at 6pm until 2 October at 2pm.

Reception by appointment on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 2pm to 6pm.
Registration by email to the following address: bibliotheque@lesabattoirs.org

Les Abattoirs’ library is dedicated to the public and reflects the museum's rich and distinctive collections, focusing on Modern and Contemporary art.

While permitting a deeper understanding into the Frac collection and the artistic approach of those who have exhibited at the museum, it also allows visitors to satisfy their curiosity in art in general by providing a comprehensive overview of art history.

A library for the people

Explore our online catalogue [fr]

The library documents 20th and 21st century art through over 30,000 books on painting, sculpture, drawings, prints, photography, design, fashion, emerging art forms and art criticism and theory. There is also a database of audiovisual material.

Raising awareness and piquing the curiosity of the general public is vital to our mission. The library makes researching a panorama of Contemporary art possible for anyone wishing to do so.

We accord special attention to the younger public and there is a large selection of children’s books.
To enhance their learning, we also offer workshops. (See “Workshops”)

The art of the book

The library is also a place where the books which we restore are shown. With a vast collection of artist's books from the 60s to the present, we pride ourselves in regularly organising exhibitions on this art form.

Like works of art themselves, the books have evolved hugely over the last 50 years and this can be observed in our collection.

La Vie des Formes Les Abbatoirs / frac Midi-Pyrénées Toulouse, été 2012