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George Mason University Infoguides | University Libraries
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Artists' Books

Artist books are books created as original works of art. Mason Libraries own a growing number of artist books in Special Collections.

Where are the artists' books located? How can I see them?

Most of the Mason Libraries Artists' Book Collection is held in our Special Collections Research Center (SCRC), which is open by appointment only. See https://scrc.gmu.edu/visit to schedule your visit and request materials!

You can use the search strategies below to identify books you would like to request to see during your visit. If a location is listed as "Fenwick Library Stacks," those artists' books are held in the general library collection.

How do I search for artists' books at Mason?

Curious what artists' books are in the collection? You can browse, search, or talk directly to a librarian to help find and arrange to visit and see these works.

  • Browse a full listing of our artists' books in the Mason Libraries catalog
  • Ask the Art and Art History Librarian for help finding artists' books related to your research or personal interests
  • Search for artists' books with specific features (e.g., books on a special topic, by a specific artist, or with a particular binding or printing method):
    • Start with an Advanced Search: Mason Libraries Advanced Search
    • Change the first filter to "Genre" and enter "artists books"
    • Add your other search words in the next box, such as a topic, material, or printing/binding method

Screenshot of Mason Libraries advanced search page, showing an example of how to search for artists' books