LIBRARY SERVICES

Art Metropole’s Consultation and Collection-Building Services

Art Metropole works closely with public and academic libraries and collections in Canada, the US, and abroad, to develop institutional holdings. Through our expanded library services, we work collaboratively with librarians and curators to build suggestions for collection development based on each organization’s budget and focus. Art Metropole’s extensive inventory of over 16,000 artists’ books and related publications serves as the basis of our suggestions. As a non-profit arts organization with a special focus on artists’ publications and editions, we maintain a strong relationship with artists and independent publishers around the world, as well as major trade distributors.

Founded in 1974 by the artist group General Idea, Art Metropole is an artist-run center dedicated to contemporary artists’ books, editions, and multiples. As the oldest artist-run bookstore in the world, we possess an extensive catalog of titles spanning our fifty year history and are uniquely positioned to offer consultation in the field of artists’ publishing.

Features of our Library Approval Plans:

  1. 10% off the cost of publications acquired through Library Services
  2. Customized acquisition criteria
  3. Subject strengths include titles by and about BIPOC and LGBTQ2S+ artists, curators, and writers
  4. Extensive resources from well-established to emerging artists
  5. Special collections materials including rare, unique, and limited edition artists’ books and periodicals
  7. US shipping by USPS Media Mail
    8. Proceeds go towards sustaining Art Metropole’s cultural production initiatives that support artists and the art community

Please contact libraryservices@artmetropole.com to discuss your institutional needs, and sign up for emails at mailinglist.artmetropole.com for information about programming and events, as well as news about special titles available through Art Metropole. We would be delighted to work with you!

About Art Metropole

Art Metropole is an artist-run centre dedicated to contemporary artists’ books, editions, and multiples. Founded in 1974 by the artist collective General Idea, we operate as one of the oldest artist-run bookstores in the world, and are uniquely positioned to offer consultation in the field of artists’ publishing. Our extensive inventory includes over 16,000 artists’ books and related publications with a particular emphasis on works by 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC creators. As a non-profit arts organization we maintain strong relationships directly with artists and independent publishers around the world, distributing many titles that cannot be found through mainstream networks. We're excited to extend our services to libraries throughout Canada, the United States, and beyond, to increase the representation of artists’ publishing in your collections.