Creating Alternative Art Libraries

Informed by the proliferation of alternative art spaces with libraries and reading rooms such as Half Letter Press Reading Room in Copenhagen, Reanimation Library in Brooklyn, Midway Contemporary Art Library in Minneapolis, Artexte in Montreal, Close Up Library in London, Contemporary Art Gallery library in Vancouver, Fillip Library and Reading Room in Vancouver, and Centre A Library in Vancouver, the author explores the educational value of alternative art library spaces and provides strategies for the successful creation of such spaces. While the article’s main purpose is to challenge and offer a different perspective to art professionals, librarians may also find the creative strategies used for promoting these library resources informative for more traditional libraries.