SPEC Kit 333: Art &Artifact Management · 77
Michigan State University
Collection Development Policy Statement: Fine Arts Library Art Collection
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Appendix/Artists' Books Collection -Collection Development Policy Statement :Fine Arts Library Art Collection -Guides at Michigan State University Libraries
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Purpose or Scope of Collection Factors Influencing Collection Policy Analysis of the Subject Field Levels of Collecting Intensity
Collection Management Issues Appendix/Artists' Books Collection
Purpose or Scope of the Collection
A. Definition
Definitions for artists' books are as varied as the objects themselves. In simple terms, artists' books are books created by artists, where the artist has total control over every
aspect of the creative process. Artists' books differ from livre d'artiste in that the livre d'artiste are books illustrated with original artwork. Artists' books can take any format, from a
traditional codex to a tunnel book. The history of artists' books can be traced to the Sixties, when artists began making multiple copies of cheaply produced work in order to
disseminate and democratize their art. Generally speaking, artists' books continue to be made in limited editions. Artists' books offer a non-traditional yet innovative approach to
the relationship between book and reader.
B. Curricular/Research/Collection Needs
The artists' books collection serves several purposes by
1. supporting the curricular needs of the Department of Art and the research needs of undergraduate and graduate students and faculty in that department, in particular,
those active in the book arts,
2. supporting the research needs of the community at a land-grant institution,
3. enhancing the collection of both the Fine Arts Library and the Special Collections unit of the Michigan State University Libraries, and
4. supporting the programmatic needs of the Kresge Art Museum. Curriculum, research and programs in the Art Department go beyond the traditional media in art, an
important factor to consider in collecting artists' books. MSU currently offers Bachelors and Masters degrees in Studio Art and Art History.
History of the Collection/Existing Strengths and Emphases
The artists' books collection is small but current holdings are strong. The collection includes both nationally known and local artists' works. Women artists and Cuban artists are
particularly well represented. As these are items that require special housing and preservation, they are kept in Special Collections. Materials about artists' books are kept in the
Fine Arts Library.
Factors Influency Collection Policy
A. Anticipated future trends
Current trends include course work in the book arts taught by Studio Faculty in alternating Spring semesters. Artists' book exhibits are becoming increasingly popular and
prevalent on local, regional and national level.
B. Scope
A variety of formats will be collected, in order to provide representative examples of all types of artists' books. Students and faculty would benefit from a wide variety, and the
collection will be more typical of other artists' books collections if a number of formats are acquired. At this time, virtual artists' books will not be included in the collection, but
requests for this type of book will be taken into consideration. Because of availability, an emphasis will be placed on regional and national artists rather than international. Foreign
language books will not be actively collected but may be included. There is no restriction on dates of publication for artists' books, although retrospective collecting may be
constrained by budget limitations.
C. Acquisition
Both the Art Librarian and the Special Collections Librarian will select items in the collection. Artists' books will be purchased 1) directly from the artist, 2) from artists' books dealers
or distributors, such as Printed Matter, Art Metropole, Women's Studio Workshop, or Califia Books, and/or 3) through galleries or dealers at exhibitions. Donations of books will be
accepted and sought out, if feasible.
Collection Management Issues
A. Anticipated future trends
Current trends include course work in the book arts taught by Studio Faculty in alternating Spring semesters. Artists' book exhibits are becoming increasingly popular and
prevalent on local, regional and national level.
B. Scope
Libraries Home |Hours |Account Support MSU Libraries
MSU Libraries » Guides » Collection Development Policy Statement :Fine Arts Library Art Collection
Collection Development Policy Statement :Fine Arts Library Art Collection
Revised by Terrie L. Wilson, June 2006
Last Updated: Jan 28, 2010 URL: http://libguides.lib.msu.edu/content.php?pid=44529 Print Guide RSS Updates
Appendix/Artists' Books Collection Print Page
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Michigan State University
Collection Development Policy Statement: Fine Arts Library Art Collection
http://libguides.lib.msu.edu/content.php?pid=44529&sid=329779
Appendix/Artists' Books Collection -Collection Development Policy Statement :Fine Arts Library Art Collection -Guides at Michigan State University Libraries
http://libguides.lib.msu.edu/content.php?pid=44529&sid=329779[12/12/12 1:16:17 PM]
General Info Resources
Admin Sign In
Research Help How To ...Computers Contact
Purpose or Scope of Collection Factors Influencing Collection Policy Analysis of the Subject Field Levels of Collecting Intensity
Collection Management Issues Appendix/Artists' Books Collection
Purpose or Scope of the Collection
A. Definition
Definitions for artists' books are as varied as the objects themselves. In simple terms, artists' books are books created by artists, where the artist has total control over every
aspect of the creative process. Artists' books differ from livre d'artiste in that the livre d'artiste are books illustrated with original artwork. Artists' books can take any format, from a
traditional codex to a tunnel book. The history of artists' books can be traced to the Sixties, when artists began making multiple copies of cheaply produced work in order to
disseminate and democratize their art. Generally speaking, artists' books continue to be made in limited editions. Artists' books offer a non-traditional yet innovative approach to
the relationship between book and reader.
B. Curricular/Research/Collection Needs
The artists' books collection serves several purposes by
1. supporting the curricular needs of the Department of Art and the research needs of undergraduate and graduate students and faculty in that department, in particular,
those active in the book arts,
2. supporting the research needs of the community at a land-grant institution,
3. enhancing the collection of both the Fine Arts Library and the Special Collections unit of the Michigan State University Libraries, and
4. supporting the programmatic needs of the Kresge Art Museum. Curriculum, research and programs in the Art Department go beyond the traditional media in art, an
important factor to consider in collecting artists' books. MSU currently offers Bachelors and Masters degrees in Studio Art and Art History.
History of the Collection/Existing Strengths and Emphases
The artists' books collection is small but current holdings are strong. The collection includes both nationally known and local artists' works. Women artists and Cuban artists are
particularly well represented. As these are items that require special housing and preservation, they are kept in Special Collections. Materials about artists' books are kept in the
Fine Arts Library.
Factors Influency Collection Policy
A. Anticipated future trends
Current trends include course work in the book arts taught by Studio Faculty in alternating Spring semesters. Artists' book exhibits are becoming increasingly popular and
prevalent on local, regional and national level.
B. Scope
A variety of formats will be collected, in order to provide representative examples of all types of artists' books. Students and faculty would benefit from a wide variety, and the
collection will be more typical of other artists' books collections if a number of formats are acquired. At this time, virtual artists' books will not be included in the collection, but
requests for this type of book will be taken into consideration. Because of availability, an emphasis will be placed on regional and national artists rather than international. Foreign
language books will not be actively collected but may be included. There is no restriction on dates of publication for artists' books, although retrospective collecting may be
constrained by budget limitations.
C. Acquisition
Both the Art Librarian and the Special Collections Librarian will select items in the collection. Artists' books will be purchased 1) directly from the artist, 2) from artists' books dealers
or distributors, such as Printed Matter, Art Metropole, Women's Studio Workshop, or Califia Books, and/or 3) through galleries or dealers at exhibitions. Donations of books will be
accepted and sought out, if feasible.
Collection Management Issues
A. Anticipated future trends
Current trends include course work in the book arts taught by Studio Faculty in alternating Spring semesters. Artists' book exhibits are becoming increasingly popular and
prevalent on local, regional and national level.
B. Scope
Libraries Home |Hours |Account Support MSU Libraries
MSU Libraries » Guides » Collection Development Policy Statement :Fine Arts Library Art Collection
Collection Development Policy Statement :Fine Arts Library Art Collection
Revised by Terrie L. Wilson, June 2006
Last Updated: Jan 28, 2010 URL: http://libguides.lib.msu.edu/content.php?pid=44529 Print Guide RSS Updates
Appendix/Artists' Books Collection Print Page
Library Site Search
Search
