The Clark houses one of the most distinguished art research libraries in the country, with more than 296,000 volumes in over 130 languages. From its opening in 1962 the library has grown and changed over the years to accommodate teaching spaces, visual resources, new programs and initiatives, and a never-ending array of new technologies (in addition, of course, to its growing collection of books), always striving to meet the needs of our valued students, scholars, staff, researchers, and visitors.
The library’s special collections enhance both library and museum holdings. Highlights include the founding collection of Robert Sterling Clark's rare books, the history of photomechanical reproduction, early illustrated printed books, decorative arts and sample books, twentieth- and twenty-first century artists’ books, and archival collections.
special collections book of the month
Allan Sekula Library and Archive
Over several decades, artist/writer/teacher/photographer Allan Sekula amassed a library of 15,000 volumes to support his wide-ranging interests, which included – among many other things - contemporary art and photography, caricature and cartoons, social justice, economic disparities, consumerism, the history of the workers’ movement, political movements, and the destruction of natural and built environments.
This exhibition explores the issues surrounding the "nuclearization of culture" and the impact of the nuclear age on society in areas as diverse as medicine, politics, science, the environment (among many others). The exhibition takes as its starting point the collective imagery we have inherited, such as the iconic mushroom cloud, and posits the idea that the nuclearization of culture is not neutral. The survey of works by committed photographers and artists exposes how the nuclear cycle, in many of its manifestations, permeates daily existence and in many instances has devastating consequences. The work of photographers and artists involved in the exhibition includes Berlyn Brixner, Robert Del Tredici, Carole Gallagher, Peter Goin, David Graham, Jim Lerager, Yoshito Matsushige, Richard Misrach, Meridel Rubenstein, Margaret Stratton, Steina, Woody Vasulka, Ellen Zweig, and the team of Carole Conde and Karl Beveridge. Also included is a series of essays on nuclear imagery by Robert Del Tredici, Rebecca Solnit, and Margaret Stratton along with statements by the artists.
FOLLOW THE LIBRARY
Serving the general public as well as visiting scholars and local students and faculty, the Clark library welcomes all visitors to use its reference and research services and to enjoy its collections. An extensive array of electronic resources and reference materials support scholarly research in the field of Art History. Library staff are dedicated to assisting all users to access the library’s wide-ranging and diverse collections.
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New Acquisitions Book of the Week
In 1999, Canada redrew its map to "our land" in the Inuktitut language. Our Land: Contemporary Art from the Arctic, based on and published in conjunction with the inaugural exhibition of the official Government of Nunavut collection of Inuit art, celebrates the growth of Inuit creative expression over the past five decades. It explores how long-held Inuit artistic traditions inspire contemporary sculptures, prints, fiber arts, photographs, and digital media. This exquisitely photographed book features an essay by award-winning Inuit filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk, director of Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner, and includes text in four languages: Inuktitut, English, French, and Inuinnaqtun, a transliteration of Inuktitut.
LIBRARY HOURS
PUBLIC HOURS
The library is open without appointment. Hours are:
Monday - Friday, 9 am to 5 pm
All are welcome to email the library with reference/research questions.
HOLIDAYS
The library is closed to the public on the following holidays:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Presidents' Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Indigenous Peoples Day
Thanksgiving (2 days)
Christmas (2 days)
EXTENDED HOURS
Extended hours are available to holders of a Clark badge or a Reader's Card. Reader's cards are given by application. Cards may not be appropriate for all applicants but we will always do our best to meet your research needs.
Mon-Thurs 8 am to 11 pm
Friday 8 am to 6 pm
Saturday 9 am to 6 pm
Sunday 9 am to 11 pm
HOLIDAYS
With the exception of Christmas Day and New Year's Day the library is open during holidays to anyone eligible for extended hours.