The Art Library, formerly named General Library and successively General Library of Art, was created in 1968 with the aim of gathering the collections of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Initially its holdings supported the art collection and the activities of the Gulbenkian Museum, and included the private library of Calouste Gulbenkian formed by about 3,000 titles.

The Art Library offers information access to readers whose research needs include studies in History of Art, Fine Arts, Architecture and Design, providing a set of reading services.