Walking into Mullen Library at the Catholic University of America, you immediately feel the calm of the space. The library holds a small but meaningful collection of artists’ books and related resources. Though modest, these works carry a quiet significance. Being part of the Washington Research Library Consortium connects CUA to other local universities, allowing the collection to exist within a larger network. For students or researchers just starting to explore the field, this library offers a gentle introduction.
How to Find Artists’ Books
Finding materials in the collection is straightforward but deliberate. Using the library’s catalog, typing “artists’ books” brings up both physical works and digital references. Narrowing the search to Catholic University of America guides you directly to the holdings you want to explore. Each search feels like uncovering a small secret, a step closer to the delicate works housed on the shelves.
Location and Directions
Mullen Library sits at 620 Michigan Avenue NE, a short walk from the Brookland-CUA Metro station on the Red Line. Crossing the campus from the station, the noise of the city fades. The library emerges like a quiet pause, a space where scholarship and creativity meet.
What to Expect When Visiting
Visitors are welcome, and the atmosphere is calm and respectful. Some artists’ books can be borrowed, while others are held in special sections for in-library use only. A portion of the collection is located in the Architecture and Planning Library behind Mullen, adding a quiet corner to explore. Checking availability in advance helps guide the visit, but part of the experience is wandering among the shelves and feeling the presence of careful work, history, and artistry.
In Mullen Library, the quiet is not empty. It is filled with the weight of knowledge, the turn of pages, and the subtle hum of creative energy. Even a small collection, carefully preserved, can open wide the imagination and leave a lasting impression.
A Small Collection with a Gentle Voice
The library’s artists’ books aren’t many, yet each feels deliberate and intimate. They are handmade, often quiet in tone, but powerful in presence. These works create a bridge between art and study, offering a moment of reflection in an academic setting.
As part of the Washington Research Library Consortium, Mullen connects to a network of libraries across D.C. This collaboration expands access, allowing students and researchers to explore artists’ books held throughout the city. For anyone beginning their journey in book art, CUA is a welcoming first step—a calm starting point for discovery.
Finding Artists’ Books
Searching within the library’s catalog is simple. Typing “artists’ books” and refining results to Catholic University of America reveals the collection. It’s a small act of digital exploration that mirrors the quiet patience these books invite. Each title feels like a personal find.
Getting There
Mullen Library sits near the Brookland–CUA Metro station on the Red Line. The short walk through campus feels like a passage from city life into reflection. Visitors are welcome. CUA and WRLC members show ID at the front desk; others sign in to enter.
Some of the artists’ books can be borrowed, while others remain in the Architecture and Planning Library just behind Mullen. Checking the catalog before visiting ensures the books you seek are ready to view.
A Place for Quiet Study
The library’s atmosphere balances scholarship and stillness. The staff are approachable and ready to guide curious visitors. Whether you come for research or simple curiosity, Mullen Library feels like a space where art and faith share the same table.
In a city filled with grand museums, the Catholic University Library offers something quieter. It reminds us that knowledge doesn’t always need to be loud. Sometimes, a single handmade book can carry the weight of a world.