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
Allan Sekula Library
The Photographer's Eye. John Szarkowski. New York : Museum of Modern Art, 2009.
Over several decades, artist/writer/ teacher/photographer Allan Sekula amassed a library of 15,000 volumes to support his wide-ranging interests, which included – among many other things - contemporary art and photography, caricature and cartoons, social justice, economic disparities, consumerism, the history of the workers’ movement, political movements, and the destruction of natural and built environments. Many of his books, including The Photographer's Eye, highlighted here, reflected his practice as a photographer and filmmaker, and as a writer and teacher of photography and film.
Most of Sekula's library, shelved in the order in which the books were shelved in his home and studio, can be viewed as a visible archive in the Manton Reading Room. A smaller part of it, those volumes identified as rare or valuable, is kept in Special Collections. Even this small selection of books from Special Collections gives a taste of the range and eclecticism of Sekula’s interests.
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
Collections usually grow out of interests, sometimes interests that border on obsession. Collecting art from Bali often begins with a love of the island itself, but then can take different directions depending on the experiences we have there. The Krzysztof Musial Collection is clearly based on encounters with the island and its culture, and from that basis the collector has accumulated works new and old, representative of the known history of Balinese art but also of the most recent developments in the style of Bali.
The older styles of art were focused around areas of power, especially palaces and temples. Art was commissioned by competing Balinese kings, who strove to make their palaces the most beautiful and ornate on the island. Kings, queens, lords and ladies dressed in the most lavish textiles, from imported Indian cloths to local home-spun products, many of which were woven in the palaces. Kings and priests were trained in the arts themselves, and often did their own carving and painting, but they also cultivated and supported great artists and craftsmen. Most of the sculptors and painters were men, while women produced beautiful textiles and elaborate offerings. Since all Balinese communities are closely tied to religious practice, temples are the focus of Balinese spiritual life and the most important art was placed there for the gods to appreciate.
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.