Hostname: page-component-6898cfcb55-kwdml Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-11T18:48:44.438Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Artists’ books in UK & Eire libraries

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2016

Simon Ford
Simon Ford*
Affiliation:
National Art Library, Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Get access

Abstract

An overview of the author’s research into the collection management of artists’ books in UK and Eire libraries, dealing with their selection, acquisition, processing, cataloguing, storage, conservation, and exploitation. Much of the information derives from a questionnaire distributed to 127 art and design libraries in the UK and Eire during 1992. Various policies are compared and the case of the National Art Library, at the Victoria and Albert Museum, is examined in detail. Artists’ books are seen to illuminate fundamental issues concerning both contemporary art and contemporary librarianship. Future prospects are discussed and recommendations for better use, management, promotion and understanding of the material are offered. A selection of 25 definitions of artists’ books is appended.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Art Libraries Journal , Volume 18 , Issue 1 , 1993, pp. 14 - 25
Copyright
Copyright © The Art Libraries Society 1993

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

1. Phillpot, Clive. ‘Artists’ books and book art’, in Art library manual: a guide to resources and practice, ed. Pacey, Philip. London: Bowker, 1977, p.355–63.Google Scholar
2. ARLIS/UK & Eire Committee on cataloguing and classification 1987-8. Descriptive cataloguing of artists’ books. ARLIS/UK & Eire, 1989, p.1.Google Scholar
3. Willats, Stephen. Publishing interventions, 1965-1991. London: National Art Library, 1991, p. 10.Google Scholar
4. Linker, K. ‘The artist’s book as an alternative space’. Studio International, vol. 195, no. 990, 1980, p.79.Google Scholar
5. Szczelkun, Stefan. UK artists’ books, 1992. London: Working Press, 1992.Google Scholar
6. British Library. Conspectus in the British Library: collection development review: a summary of current collecting intensity data as recorded in RLG Conspectus worksheets: with completed worksheet on microfiche. London: British Library, 1986, p.60.Google Scholar
7. Ibid., p.51.Google Scholar
8. Heeks, P. Public libraries and the arts: an evolving partnership. London: Library Association, 1989, p.25.Google Scholar
9. Brewer, Stuart. ‘Arts and libraries: an evolving partnership’. Library Association Record, vol. 91, no. 12, December 1989, p.711.Google Scholar
10. Tate Gallery Library. Acquisitions policy: artists’ books. Tate Gallery Library internal document, 1989.Google Scholar
11. National Art Library. A policy for the development of the collections. National Art Library internal document, 1992, p.37.Google Scholar
12. Starr, D. ‘Artists’ books cataloguing’. Art Documentation, vol. 1, no. 6, December 1982, p. 169.Google Scholar
13. ARLIS/UK & Eire Committee on cataloguing and classification 1987-8. Op. cit.Google Scholar
14. Shipe, T. ‘The monographic cataloguer and the artist’s book: the ideal reader’. Art Documentation, vol. 10, no. 1, 1991, p.24.Google Scholar
15. British Standards Institution. British standard recommendations for the storage and exhibition of archival documents. London: B.S.I., 1989 (BS 5454: 1989).Google Scholar
16. Hall, C. Book in a jar. The artist, 1984. 1 jar: glass; 15cm. high x 9 cm. in diameter.Google Scholar
17. Shenton, H. ‘Preventative conservation at the Victoria and Albert Museum’, in La conservazione del libro contemporaneo: esigenze e problemi: atti del convegno, Firenze, Fortezza da Basso, 31 marzo 1990, ed. Copede, Maurizio. Firenze: [s.n.], 1990, p.63.Google Scholar
18. Bury, S. ‘Artists’ books: a workshop’, in History of art and design: option programme 1991-92. London: The London Institute, 1991, p. 13.Google Scholar
19. Davies, M. Artists’ Books Reference Collection. National Art Library internal document, 1992.Google Scholar