about the collection
the joan flasch artists' book collection

The Joan Flasch Artists' Book Collection is part of the John M Flaxman Library and one of SAIC's Special Collections. It currently houses well over 4,000 artists' books, multiples, video and audio recordings, periodicals, digital works, reference books, ephemera, exhibition catalogs as works of art, and examples of other experimental art practices, all created over the last four decades by artists of local, national, and international significance. Renowned and unique in its vast scope and easily accessible for students and the general public alike, this collection is housed in its own study room on the fifth floor of the School's Sharp Building. Walk-in visitors are welcome. Some books in the Joan Flasch collection are categorized "Restricted Access" due to the condition or rarity of the item. To view these items please contact aboehm@saic.edu or call 312.899-7486 to arrange a viewing; a 48-hour prior notification is necessary.

Please use this database to search for materials in the Joan Flasch Artists' Book Collection that have been acquired over the course of the last ten years. Many items that were acquired before 1998 have not yet been added and at this point can only be searched through our in-house database. We are adding these materials retrospectively on a continuous basis.

You can search for reference books and exhibition catalogs housed within the artists' book collection using the John M. Flaxman Library's catalog. All material is non-circulating and may not be reproduced in any form or media.

hours of access
During the semester (note new hours)
Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m-7:30 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday, noon-4:00 p.m.

During semester breaks
Monday-Friday, 10:00-4:00

Closed on Saturday and Sunday during semester breaks.
Closed during all federal holidays and for SAIC critique week:
academic calendar

contact information

mailing address:
Joan Flasch Artists' Book Collection
37 S. Wabash Avenue
Suite 508
Chicago, IL 60603 (map)

for general information and to schedule visits:
jfabc@saic.edu
312.899-7486

to contact Anne Dorothee (Doro) Boehme:
Special Collections Librarian
aboehme@saic.edu
312.899-5098