Library & Archive
The Athens Photo Research Center (APhRC) is home to the largest photobook library in Greece, a unique resource dedicated to the study and exploration of photography and visual culture. Building on more than a decade of pioneering work by the Athens Photo Festival (APhF) and the Hellenic Center of Photography (HCP), the library has become the country’s most significant and comprehensive collection of photobooks and photography-related publications. Offering access to essential materials that support study, artistic development, and academic inquiry, the library is an indispensable resource for members, artists, students, researchers, and the wider public.In its inaugural year, APRC will offer a three-week residency to two international artists and one curator working within the field. Residents will benefit from institutional guidance, research assistance, dedicated studio space, and accommodation, creating an environment for inspiration and artistic stimulation.
The Collection
Today the APhRC Library holds over 6,000 titles, with 500 new acquisitions each year, ranging from rare, limited, and signed editions to contemporary artist books, magazines, journals, and critical texts incorporating contemporary visual, performative, and multimedia approaches. The collection spans the history of photography and extends to emerging practices. Emphasing the photobook’s artistic independence, the library highlights the medium’s role today as both an artistic form and a cultural archive.
The Space
APhRC’s physical library space provides direct, tactile access to the collection. Alongside research facilities, the space will host a dynamic program of book launches, readings, workshops and an “Unfolded Chapters” series, pop-up exhibitions presenting treasures from the collection and newly acquired works. A program of curated thematic displays, developed in collaboration with invited curators and artists, will regularly reframe the collection to highlight key concepts, overlooked narratives, and rare publications.
Library Use and Services
The Library is non-circulating; materials may only be consulted on-site in the designated reading area, which can also accommodate group study sessions. Reservations are required at least one day in advance via [email]. The collection is organized into open stacks, freely accessible to visitors, while items of limited access may be consulted upon request. Reproduction of library materials is permitted solely for research and private study, in accordance with copyright law and intellectual property regulations.
Acquisitions Procedure
Acquisitions: The expansion of the collection is overseen by the Artistic Director in close collaboration with the curatorial team. The selection criteria is aligned with the institution’s regional and thematic priorities.
Open Calls: In collaboration with the Athens Photo Festival, the library issues periodic open calls inviting submissions from artists and publishers. This mechanism ensures that the collection remains inclusive, dynamic, and representative of current developments in contemporary photobook practice.
Donations & Gifts: The library actively welcomes donations from institutions or individuals. Such contributions are formally acknowledged, and selected works may be featured in curated displays or public programs, thereby integrating donors into the living history of the collection.
Loans: The APhRC library accepts long-term loans to provide access to significant works without permanent transfer, and facilitates the outgoing loan of selected holdings to partner institutions in Greece and abroad, thereby enhancing research visibility and cultivating institutional partnerships.
Exchanges: The library pursues reciprocal exchange agreements with peer institutions, residencies, and publishers. This practice expands the reach of the collection, strengthens transnational networks, and promotes the circulation of publications across diverse geographies.
Publisher Collaborations: Strategic collaborations with independent publishers and artist-run presses allow the institution to acquire special editions and advance copies, while also supporting the sustainability of the publishing ecosystem. These partnerships ensure that the collection reflects the most current and innovative developments in the field.