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
Artists' Book Collection
In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, this book is a collection of short, graphic scores by artist and composer Raven Chacon. Paying tribute to Yankton Dakota writer, musician, and activist Zitkála-Šá (1876-1938), the publication is structured around a series of scores for thirteen contemporary female Indigenous performing artists: Laura Ortman, Cheryl L'Hirondelle, Suzanne Kite, Barbara Croall, Jacqueline Wilson, Autumn Chacon, Heidi Senungetuk, Ange Loft, Joy Harjo, Carmina Escobar, Olivia Shortt, Candice Hopkins, and Buffy Sainte-Marie. Includes texts by each artist, a contextualizing essay by Chacon, and performance notes.
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
An extensively illustrated book that includes over 500 color images, Finding Paradise looks at period objects from Hawai'i's traditional, monarchical, territorial, and early statehood eras. It features paintings and painters, drawings, prints and printmakers, photographs and photographers, and "The Hawai'i One Hundred," a list of essential books printed before the end of the nineteenth century chosen to represent the history of Hawaiian discovery and nationhood. There are also chapters on surfing; the 'ukulele; the promotion of Hawai'i as an island "paradise" in printed materials and popular kitsch; the development of Hawaiian quiltmaking, sculpture, and decorative arts including ceramics, furniture, souvenir spoons, and jewelry.
Finding Paradise features objects selected from the holdings of numerous private collectors, many of which have never been seen by the public until now. They are discussed here in essays by scholars and collectors including DeSoto Brown, Bruce Erickson, Watters O. Martin, Jr., Derek McDonnell, Roger G. Rose, Jennifer Saville, Don R. Severson, and Loretta G. Woodard. Roger G. Rose, a historian of Hawaiian and Pacific culture, has also contributed an introductory essay on collectors and collecting.
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.