Entering the Dibner Library feels like stepping into a crossroads of history, science, and artistry. Situated on the first floor of the National Museum of American History, the library houses rare books and manuscripts documenting centuries of scientific discovery. Among its treasures is a small but remarkable collection of artists’ books, born from a 1995–96 exhibition called Science and the Artist’s Book. Book artists created works inspired by the historical collections, and these pieces now form the core of the Dibner’s artists’ book holdings.
About the Collection
The Dibner’s focus is the history of science and technology. Its rare books offer visual and textual richness, while the artists’ books provide a contemporary dialogue with these historical texts. Each work demonstrates how creativity can illuminate scientific ideas, inviting students, researchers, and visitors to engage with both the past and the present.
Finding Artists’ Books
Locating artists’ books at the Dibner is simple using SIRIS, the Smithsonian’s online catalog. Typing “artists’ books” under subject keywords and limiting the search to the Special Collections Dibner Library generates a curated list. Visitors can also search specifically for works from the Science and the Artist’s Book exhibition by entering the exhibition title in the author field. Each search reveals how the collection bridges historical scholarship and contemporary artistic expression.
Location and Directions
The Dibner Library is at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Visitors can take the Orange or Blue Metro lines to Federal Triangle and walk south along 12th Street NW toward the Mall. The museum itself sits across Constitution Avenue, offering clear access and easy orientation.
Visiting the Collection
Appointments are required to access the Dibner Library. Researchers may schedule visits Monday through Friday, from 9 to 5, excluding federal holidays. Upon arrival, visitors complete a reader registration form, present identification, and store bags, coats, and pens in lockers. Each request form allows viewing up to three books at a time. Following these guidelines ensures a focused and meaningful experience.
Despite its relatively small size, the artists’ book collection at Dibner provides a unique window into the intersection of science and creativity. Each book holds a story, inviting careful study and reflection. In this quiet space, the dialogue between historical knowledge and artistic exploration comes alive.