List old books in possession of artist (4)
I believe the answer is:
rota
'list' is the definition.
(I know that rota is a type of roll)
'old books in possession of artist' is the wordplay.
'old books' becomes 'OT' (Old Testament).
'in possession of' indicates putting letters inside.
'artist' becomes 'RA' (Royal Academician, member of Royal Academy of Arts).
'ot' placed within 'ra' is 'ROTA'.
(Other definitions for rota that I've seen before include "Working times list" , "supreme Catholic court" , "Ecclesiastical tribunal" , "Duty roster" , "List assigning turns of duty" .)