Library
The library of Stroom Den Haag has a compact, but in its scope of content surprisingly versatile collection. The common thread is the Stroom program, in which we have always strived to investigate social developments specifically from the angle of art and imagination. Therefore, we have not only collected publications about art and artists, but also material that provides context and interpretation: publications about developments that formed the impetus for projects, or publications that resulted from them, such as about the artists involved, their vision and sources of inspiration.
The collection is accessible and arranged by theme. This allows visitors to scroll between the various topics and perspectives, ranging from publications on artists and art in public space to art and jurisprudence, decolonization, ecology and thoughts on the (post-)anthropocene.
The versatility of the collection, the thematic arrangement and the expertise of the staff make the library a valuable knowledge center and source of inspiration for Stroom team and visitors. These may be professionals such as artists, curators, students, architects, designers, scientists and journalists, but in fact it is open to anyone interested in Stroom, The Hague, art and society. It's a nice place to study or just wander around.
However, we don't just want to share knowledge; we realize that we are far from knowing everything, or sometimes need to revise our opinions. Therefore, visitors' views and suggestions are more than welcome. The Stroom library serves as both a center of expertise and a creative meeting place, where we strive to create space for multiple perspectives, ideas and - changing - insights.
The library is open to everyone free of charge during regular opening hours, Wednesday through Sunday from 12:00 - 17:00 hrs. Books and magazines cannot be borrowed.
Library activities & web files
In the past the Stroom library also regularly featured small presentations dedicated to publications, exhibitions and other Stroom activities (usually a presentation in the library window). The installations were visible day and night, thus attracting a lot of attention from passers by for both the presentation in question and for the library itself.
Library sessions are intimate, informal gatherings in which an artist or curator joins several artists from The Hague to discuss the publications that have been important to the main guest's artistic development. Like this year with Sophie Krier and Rolando Vázquez and with artist Liang-Kai Yu and in 2023 with artist Aref Dasthi. The opportunity to exchange views and practices in a relaxed manner with each other makes the sessions feel very valuable.
The archive of the remaining sessions will soon be accessible via this page.
The archive of our web files will soon be accessible via this page.
Augustina Woodgate: More Heat Than Light - Context Space
The display window of the Stroom library is regularly decorated with books that tie in with the themes of a current exhibition. Below you will find a selection based on Stroom's upcoming exhibition Agustina Woodgate: More Heat Than Light.
New April - June 2024
To make the library even more accessible and visible, the catalog has been digitized over the past few years and will be available on the site in the near future. Here you will regularly find the library's new acquisitions.
Positions: Soft Intimacies
The window of the Stroom library is regularly decorated with books that tie in with the themes of a current exhibition. Here is a selection from the exhibition Positions: Soft Intimacies, which was on view at Stroom from March 1 to July 7, 2024.
Slavery & Decolonization
The Stroom library has a broad (and still growing) selection of publications on slavery & decolonization. The latest additions are posted at the top of the list.
