Collections
The Jessica R. Gund Memorial Library has collections specifically developed for the visual artist, designer, and craftsperson. The library contains 45,000 books, exhibition catalogs, and CD-ROMs; 145 current periodical subscriptions; over 125,000 art and architecture slides as well as access to a broad range of digital images; 1,600 sound recordings; 600 videotapes, DVDs, and films; a picture file for visual reference; access to online databases and full text resources; and an extensive collection of “artists’ books” (books made by artists as works of art). In addition, the library has AV and digital equipment and color as well as black and white photocopiers.
Together the library’s collections support the Institute’s accredited degree programs, with a special focus on providing materials for studio-intensive instruction. The library documents the major participants, events, and trends of international contemporary art, photography, craft, and design; includes theory and technical information as well as visual resources; and makes available a variety of professional, legal, and business information for artists. The library’s collection of contemporary art publications ranks with the best American colleges and universities, and its collection of “artists’ books” is nationally recognized.
Click here to browse the CIA Gund Library’s artists’ books collection.
Image Collections
Slides: The Gund Library’s slide collection houses over 125,000 slides of art and architecture from prehistoric times to the present. The collection is generally arranged in chronological order beginning with prehistory and continuing through contemporary art. Slides may be borrowed for instructional purposes by current Institute faculty, students, technical assistants, and staff. The Slide Collection maintains more limited hours than the rest of the library.
Digital Images: Institute faculty, students, technical assistants and staff also have access to a wealth of digital images for educational purposes. ARTstor is a digital library of art images, associated descriptive information, and software tools designed to enhance teaching, learning, and scholarship. ARTstor contains approximately 750,000 digital images of art, architecture, and archaeology from a wide range of cultures and time periods, with initial strengths in European, American, and Asian cultures. This image collection continues to grow, adding subject-specific collections and expanding coverage for modern art. The library staff is also developing a local collection of digital images not available through ARTstor.
For more information about the library’s slide and digital image collections, please contact Laura Ponikvar, Image and Instructional Services Librarian, at 216.421.7442 or lponikvar@cia.edu.
Artists’ Books Collection
Click here to browse the CIA Gund Library’s artists’ books collection.
The Institute's collection of artists' books (started in 1981) is a teaching collection of approximately 1,400
books representing the range of books made by artists. These books date from the 1960s to the present, including some "classics" such as Carl Andre, Robert Barry, Douglas Huebler… [known as the “Xerox Book”] (1968), Edward Ruscha’s Twenty Six Gasoline Stations, Various Small Fires and Milk and Royal Road Test, Daniel Spoerri’s Anecdoted Topography of Chance, Ray Johnson’s Paper Snake, Vostell and Higgins’ Fantastic Architecture, Claes Oldenburg’s Store Days, Agnes Denes’ Map Projections, Martha Rosler’s Service, and Dieter Roth’s 246 Little Clouds. The collection has some unique books and some books made by Institute students, but most of the books are multiples by well-known artists (including Sol Lewitt, John Baldessari, Kiki Smith, Christian Boltanski, Hanne Darboven, Francesco Clemente, Hamish Fulton, Ida Applebroog, Marcel Broodthaers, and Hans Haacke) as well as less-familiar professional artists who have turned to the book form, or concept, for artistic expression and experimentation.
The Institute's artists' books collection is broadly defined and includes books made by artists, created outside of the publishing mainstream:
- fine press books: made by craftspeople using traditional materials and techniques, printed by independently owned and operated presses, and with an emphasis on traditional book arts (printing, papermaking, binding, etc.)
- book objects and bookworks: often one-of-a-kind or limited edition books, usually emphasizing the physical aspects of the book form or structure and sometimes taking on a sculptural quality
- artists' books: created by artists not usually associated with bookmaking (such as video and film makers, photographers, and performance artists) as an alternative to traditional means of producing and exhibiting art and with the intent to make art accessible to and affordable for all
- alternative and small press publications: use cheaper and more accessible technologies (mimeograph, offset, and photocopier), tend to be motivated by advocacy (rather than craft), and are more often produced by writers rather than visual artists
The collection also includes some commercial reproductions of unique books as well as some mail art.
For more information contact Cristine C. Rom, Library Director (216) 421-7440, or crom@cia.edu.
Making a Book: Download PDF