The Clark houses one of the most distinguished art research libraries in the country, with over 300,000 volumes in more than 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
Mary Ann Beinecke Decorative Art Collection
Le Costume en Orient. M. Tilke. Paris: G. Hue, 1922.
The first French language edition of German costume designer Max Tilke's gorgeously illustrated study of the costumes of the East is illustrated with one hundred and twenty-eight plates that display the traditional dress of various nations. At the time of its publication this work was considered a pioneering ethnographic review, displaying and describing the traditional dress of a variety of African and Asian nations including Japan, China, Morocco, Sudan, Egypt, Turkey and Tibet. Tilke's colour plates present the costumes laid flat, in the form of a series of patterns that could be reproduced. Introducing the work are thirty-two leaves of text that contain explanations of the garments shown in the plates.
The Mary Ann Beinecke Decorative Art Collection spans 400 years, from 1550 to the 1970s. It includes books, journals, manuscripts, and sample books on decorative arts, in particular those arts having to do with textile design, ornament, handicrafts, and the history of costume.
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
Women have been professional photographers since the invention of photography in 1839, but until now their work has received far less attention than that of their male colleagues. From the more than 15 million photographs stored in the Dutch National Archives in The Hague, the editors of Pioneers: Photography by Women selected work of 42 women created between 1859 and 1999. All of them can be described as innovators whose work paved the way for future generations of photographers. Pioneers focuses on both well-known and lesser-known photographers from the Netherlands and abroad. It includes work by Emmy Andriesse, Eva Besnyo, Maya Pejic, Eve Arnold and Margaret Bourke-White. This special selection celebrates the richness and diversity of the Dutch National Archives’ extensive photographic collection.
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.