Manifesto for an art libraries society

Abstract

Art librarians share a passion for art and a determination to solve the practical problems of art librarianship. They may be brought together initially by the desire to overcome their isolation, but once together they achieve corporate strength. Art librarians have formed associations since 1924, but with gathering momentum since the late 1960s, culminating in the creation of an international association within IFLA. ‘Internationalism’ in the arts should mean a celebration of, and interaction between, distinctive national and regional cultural traditions. Five suggestions are put forward for consideration by any national art libraries association.

• 1) The inclusion within the association of every type of art librarian and art library.

• 2) An examination of the provision of art documentation in the country as a whole, paying particular attention to documentation of the country’s own art (including design, crafts, folk art and popular culture).

• 3) A consideration of the country’s art library collections and services as a whole, and of their potential as an integrated network.

• 4) Participation in international co-operation and in the activities of the IFLA Section of Art Libraries.

• 5) The development of members’ awareness of the ideals and objectives of art librarianship.

(The text of a paper presented to a meeting of ARLIS Norge at Oslo on January 25th 1984).