Reading Time: 2 minutes  About the Collection The Warren M. Robbins Library, part of the Smithsonian Institution Libraries, supports the research and exhibitions of the National Museum of African Art. This specialized library holds a distinctive collection of artists’ books created by African artists as well as works that interpret or celebrate the continent’s diverse artistic heritage. Though […]

Reading Time: 2 minutesStepping into the Phillips Collection Library feels like entering a quiet corner of Dupont Circle’s history. Housed in a historic residence, the museum displays European and American art from the past two centuries. Within this space, the library and archival collections quietly support research and curation. Among its holdings is a small but focused collection […]

Reading Time: 2 minutesThe University of Maryland houses a small but growing collection of artists’ books and fine press works. This teaching collection has been used by college, graduate, and high school classes, offering students a hands-on encounter with creativity. Some of the books are sculptural or playfully challenge the conventions of traditional books, making each visit a […]

Reading Time: 2 minutesVisiting the National Museum of Women in the Arts offers a glimpse into a world where books become art. The museum’s artists’ book collection focuses on women artists and often includes sculptural works. Many of the books are unique or rare, crafted from unconventional materials like bedsheets, latex, wine bottles, or even a fish spine. […]

Reading Time: 2 minutesVisiting the Warren M. Robbins Library is like stepping into a quiet world within the National Museum of African Art. The library’s artists’ book collection is small but rich, filled with works by African artists and books about Africa. Each volume feels alive—some with prints, others with sculptural elements or delicate fine press work. It’s […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteMarymount University Library holds a modest collection of resources on artists’ books. While it does not have primary source artists’ books, the collection offers valuable reference materials. As part of the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC), Marymount shares its resources with other universities in the DC area. This makes it a helpful starting point for […]

Reading Time: 2 minutesThe Indie Photobook Library focuses on self-published and independent photobooks. These books use photography as their main medium. While some consider photobooks a type of artists’ book, many treat them as a separate genre. The library started collecting and exhibiting photobooks in 2010. Today, the collection includes about 2,000 books, and over 1,600 are already […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Library is part of the Smithsonian Institution Libraries. It holds a significant collection of artists’ books, mainly artists’ multiples. The library’s works complement the museum’s permanent collection. Therefore, if the museum collects an artist’s work, the library often collects that artist’s bookworks. As a result, the Hirshhorn Library includes […]

Reading Time: < 1 minuteTucked within Georgetown University’s academic resources is a modest but intriguing collection of works related to book art. Most of the materials are secondary sources, offering context, history, and analysis for students and researchers. A few primary artists’ books are preserved in the Special Collections department, quietly waiting to be discovered. These works provide a […]

Reading Time: 2 minutesStepping into Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown feels like entering a space where history, scholarship, and artistry meet. The Research Library and Collection houses materials on Byzantine studies, Garden and Landscape, and Pre-Columbian studies. Among its treasures is a carefully curated collection of artists’ books and fine press works, featuring notable names such as Ian Hamilton […]

Reading Time: 2 minutesWalking into the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, you feel the pulse of the city’s public knowledge. The District of Columbia Public Library serves residents of DC and the surrounding area, offering a vast range of materials. Among these, a small selection of reference works focuses on artists’ books. Unlike rare or archival collections, […]

Reading Time: 2 minutesWalking into Gelman Library at George Washington University, you encounter the Corcoran collection of artists’ books. These works were moved from the Corcoran Gallery of Art / College of Art + Design Library and remain available for research. The collection offers nearly 300 books that explore social consciousness through varied techniques and media. Each work […]