Visiting the Vine Deloria, Jr. Library at the National Museum of the American Indian feels like stepping into a quiet, thoughtful space. The library is part of the Smithsonian Institution Libraries and supports curators, researchers, and the public alike. Its collection of artists’ books is small for now, but each volume holds the promise of growth as the field evolves. There’s a certain anticipation in seeing these works side by side, imagining how the collection might expand over time.
How to Find Artists’ Books
To explore the library’s artists’ books, SIRIS, the Smithsonian’s online catalog, is your guide. By entering “artists’ books” under Subject Keyword and selecting the National Museum of the American Indian Library under Limits, a list of relevant books appears. Each title invites curiosity, a quiet nudge to discover stories and creativity crafted by contemporary artists.
Getting to the Library
The library is located not in the museum itself, but at the Cultural Resource Center in Suitland, Maryland, at 4220 Silver Hill Road. If you take the Green line to Suitland station, a short walk toward Silver Hill Road leads you to a right turn, and soon the Cultural Resource Center appears on your right. That walk, often quiet and lined with the soft hum of suburban streets, feels like a gentle preparation before entering the calm of the library.
Planning Your Visit
The Vine Deloria, Jr. Library is open to the public, though research visits require an appointment. Contacting the librarian at (301) 238-1376 ensures you have access to the collection and any guidance needed. Inside, the space invites focus and reflection, a pause from the outside world where the books themselves seem to breathe with quiet histories and contemporary voices alike.
A Quiet Space for Discovery
Every visit to this library carries a subtle sense of anticipation. It’s more than a place to read; it’s a space to connect with artists, history, and the unfolding story of the collection itself.