About the Collections
As a leading institution in the book arts, CBA is committed to maintaining and growing its Fine Arts, Reference, and Archive collections as essential resources for preserving history, expanding access, and generating new scholarship in the field.
About the Fine Arts Collection
The Fine Art Collection comprises CBA’s historic and contemporary collection of over 3,000 artists’ books, book art objects, and prints by significant artists and publishers.
About the Reference Collection
The Reference Collection includes over 2,000 books, periodicals, artist monographs, and exhibition catalogs relevant to the history and practice of making book art. It includes material on bookbinding, printmaking, typography, calligraphy, papermaking, design, and related fields.
About the Archive Collection
The Fine Art Collection comprises CBA’s historic The Archives Collection documents CBA’s own institutional history as the first non-profit book arts organization. It features over 1,000 items and includes postcards, invitations, newsletters, course catalogs, and exhibition catalogs.
Check out the new finding aid to the Richard Minsky Collection, which contains correspondence, photographs, ephemera, and other treasures from CBA’s early years.
Donations from our treasured community help support and build our collections. Or, check out our wish list of books we’d love to steward for our members and the public!
How to Access the Collections Online
CBA’s Fine Art Collection, Reference Collection, and Archives Collection holdings are searchable via our indexed online catalog:
How to Access the Collections In Person
Researchers, artists, curators, educators, and students are invited to view the collections in-person by appointment. To make an appointment, please email collections@centerforbookarts.org or request an appointment. You can also book a tour of the collection for a group.
Something for Everyone
From zines to fine binding, marbling to press maintenance, the Collections at Center for Book Arts have something to inspire researchers, artists, craftspeople, and the book-curious at any level of practice. Not sure where to start? Check out one of these entrypoints.
Research Guides are curated lists by Library Interns. The latest Research Guide is by Summer 2023 intern Kris Thomas. Check out the digital guide below!
New Additions to the Collections
