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
A mandala is a diagram of the universe, not merely the physical universe but a map of true reality that in Tibet is used to conceptualize a path to enlightenment. This exhibition explores the imagery of the Himalayan Buddhist devotional art through paintings, sculptures, textiles, instruments, and an array of ritual objects, mostly dating between the 12th and 15th centuries. This dazzling visual experience provides a roadmap for understanding Himalayan Buddhist worship through early masterworks, juxtaposed with a newly commissioned contemporary installation by Tibetan artist Tenzing Rigdol.
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.