For Researchers

For students

Use Artists’ Books DC as a tool to find books that interest you and to learn about the collections in your neighborhood. If you’re taking a class in art, literature, history, even engineering, you can find works in these collections that will inspire you. Your school or local library might already have some artists’ books or reference works for you to read. You can also contact the librarians and staff to ask about internships and projects.

For advanced researchers

Artists’ Books DC will help locate collections and give you search techniques to help you find the books you want to use – whether you’re researching a specific book artist, a type of book form, a subject, or exploring an entire collection.  It will let you know if you need a researcher card, to make an appointment, or if you can just show up at the library.

For librarians

If you have a book art collection at your library, or you’re interested in starting one, the collections listed here can serve as models. You can learn the holdings, policies, and strengths of different repositories, and check out the cataloging practices, online public access systems and libguides of your peer institutions. Be inspired and collaborate.

For artists

Washington DC area book art collections have a fantastic array of materials, styles, and media – from zines and multiples to unique and sculptural objects. Use these collections to get a hands-on look at works in your field. See how other artists have used materials, color, printing techniques, and typography as you research and plan your own work. In addition, learning about these collections can help you as you market your own work. Check out the information, or metadata, that the libraries present about artists’ books in their catalogs. When you display, market, and sell your work, you can include this kind of information. That way, the librarians and catalogers will have accurate information to present about your work. You can also see if your work fits the focus of each collection, making a stronger case for the library to acquire your work.