Artists' Books: Using the Artists' Books Collection

To find artists' books in the CIA Library, go to the library's Primo Discovery Search page. 

In the search box, choose the artists' books search facet as illustrated below:

From there, you can enter your search terms. You can search by title, artist, subject, and by characteristics (like accordion fold). 

The Library’s artists’ books collection requires special care and is shelved in a secure area. Selections from the collection are often displayed in the library. You may request individual artists’ books to look at in the library; ask the staff for help.

Please email library@cia.edu to request artists' books ahead of time. Let us know what you would like to look at and when you will be coming to the library.

Once you get to the library

• You will need to present your CIA ID to request a book.
• You must look at the book at the table directly across from the desk.
• Handle the books with care -- they are works of art.
• Please have clean hands.
• If taking notes, you must use a pencil, not a pen.
• Photocopying is not permitted, but you make take a photo for personal study.
• Absolutely no food or drinks are allowed near artists' books.

The library staff is very familiar with this collection and is glad to help you use this collection --  Just ask!