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Artists' books



Starting point for Artists' Books

Starting point contains definitions, facts, figures and overviews

Key online dictionaries, encyclopedias and handbooks

ArtlexArtlex contains definitions for more than 3,600 terms.

Key print dictionaries, encyclopedias and handbooks

Use the catalogue to search for more dictionaries, encyclopedias and handbooks


Catalogue searching

You can search the Library Catalogue to find books, DVDs, journals and other materials

If you know the exact title in the New catalogue

If you are searching for a topic in the New catalogue

Truncation is generally not needed as entering any version of a word will retrieve many variations.

More information


Databases and journal articles for Artists' books

Use databases to search for journal articles, book chapters, conference papers or research reports

Key databases for Artists' Books

Databases Notes Help
Art AbstractsArt Abstract database provides abstracting and indexing for over 400 international art publications, including periodicals, conference proceedings, yearbooks, and museum bulletins. Help and tips are available from the Art Abstracts search screen and the EbscoHost Database Guide
Art Bibliographies ModernARTbibliographies Modern provides abstracting and indexing of journal articles, books, essays, exhibition catalogs, dissertations, and exhibition reviews. The database covers the period from Impressionism in the late 19th century up to the most recent works and trends of the late 20th century. Photography is covered from its invention in 1839 to the present.Help and tips are available from the CSA art Bibliographies Modern search screen and the CSA Quick guide
Design and Applied Arts IndexCovers both new designers and the development of design and the applied arts since the mid-19th century, surveying disciplines including ceramics, glass, jewellery, wood, metalsmithing, graphic design, fashion and clothing, textiles, furniture, interior design, architecture, computer aided design, Web design, computer-generated graphics, animation, product design, industrial designHelp and tips are available from the CSA Design and Applied Arts Index search screen and the CSA Quick guide
JSTORProvides page images of back issues of the core scholarly journals in the arts and sciences from the earliest issues to within a few years of current publication.Help and tips are available from the JSTOR search screen.

Complete list of Art databases. Also check the multidisciplinary databases as they cover a wide range of academic topics. You can select other subjects from the database subject list


Full text not available?

When the full text is not available, search for the journal title in the Library catalogue to discover if print or online copies are available

Database search tips

For help with searching databases see Connecting and Combining Search Terms or Truncation/Wildcards/Phrase searching: Basic or Online training or Ask the Library


Key internet sites for Artists' books

It is important to critically evaluate all information you find particularly information found on the web.

This is a starting list of internet sites. You may want to do your own searches using search engines

Useful starters

Professional organisations

  • Victorian Bookbinders Guild Aims to maintain and foster the art, craft and practice of bookbinding, both contemporary and historical. Victoria, Australia.
  • Center for Book Arts Founded in 1974, this US site is dedicated to preserving the traditional crafts of bookmaking as well as exploring and encouraging contemporary interpretations of the books as an art object.
  • Calligraphy Society of Victoria Publishes a journal entitled Postscript which promotes both traditional and evolving forms of calligraphy. Victoria, Australia.

Online tutorials and galleries

  • Colophon Gallery Has links to events, galleries, publishers, artists book suppliers, a forum for discussion and a search facility.


For further information about any of these resources please contact the Ask the Library service or ask at the library desk

Coordinated by: EASS Academic Library Services Team