Book Arts  

Monday through Thursday

10am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm.
Reduced hours during recess periods; closed for University holidays.

Each reader must register every academic and summer term. We follow standard ACRL procedures for use of the Special Collections Reading Room.  For more detailed information consult the Access Policies on the Arts Library Special Collections web site.

On site materials can be viewed the same day.  Orbis location code is: Haas Arts Special Collections (Non-Circulating)

Off site materials require at least 2 business days notice.  Orbis location code is: Contact haasalsc@pantheon.yale.edu to Request Item

The Robert B. Haas Family Arts Library Special Collections are composed of materials from the former Art+Architecture and Drama Libraries as well as the Arts of the Book Collection. These previously separate special collections are now united in the Special Collections Reading Room. Rare and unique, modern and contemporary, published and manuscript materials are gathered together to create a resource that includes both research materials about and examples of the arts.

This guide brings together multiple lists of book arts materials arranged by theme or subject.  Beautifully-made, cutting edge, unusually-shaped, and other interesting books created as works of art themselves also contain useful information.  Each book expresses the views of its maker(s) not only in the meaning of the words, but in what is communicated by the form of the object.  Unexpected structures and materials, imagery, typography and other creative means allows artists to express their views. 

The lists in this guide, one subject per tab, allow readers to see just a few of the topics addressed by artists in bookworks available in Special Collections at the Robert B. Haas Family Arts Library.