The keynote speaker at this year’s ARLIS/UK & Ireland conference in Manchester struck a sobering note and used language and concepts depressingly familiar to those of us working in higher education (HE). Jan Wilkinson, the University Librarian at the University of Manchester and director of the world-famous John Rylands Library, made two confessions to conference delegates. The first was that the majority of subjects at her university no longer had specialist librarians and the second was that she did not feel a great attachment to the profession. From a marketing background, Jan was perfectly attuned to the idea of HE as a business. Whilst she made valid points about the need for librarians to be more strategic in their approach and for university libraries to be seen as an essential component of the competitive edge of the university, I am sure I was not alone in feeling depressed at the lack of value attached to specialist knowledge and collections.

‘A means or method of perceiving’ the library through a series of McLuhanite ‘probes’ presenting ideas reflecting current library practice supported by the theories of Marshall McLuhan. Often quoted and misunderstood, McLuhan during the 1960’s was criticized by many librarians for predicting the end of the book, however, deeper analysis of his theories and the writings of his supporters prove that he was somebody ‘who has, perhaps, a greater perception of the value of books and libraries for civilization, than many librarians.’ The theories of McLuhan provide a blueprint for libraries into the future and beyond, from library instruction and teaching, professional development, media ecologies and future technologies. Being McLuhanite in nature the sections of this article can be read in any sequence.

Cindy Lisica, Assistant Archivist of The Andy Warhol Museum, and Lucy Mulroney, Interim Senior Director of Special Collections at Syracuse University Libraries, discuss Andy Warhol, archives research, and listening to artists. Their work involves collaborations, unorthodox approaches and unusual research methods in archives. Their unique experiences working with rare and special collections, listening to audio and speaking direcdy with those involved in the making of the material often deliver unexpected results in their writing projects and conversations. This conversation raises questions of authenticity and authorship in art historical lineage, well-known quotes, publications and audio recordings by Warhol and today’s contemporary artists.

Artists’ books consider every aspect of the book in the creation of meaning. How might reading the comic book through this context extend the possibilities of the art form? Can considering the whole book change the way creators and readers approach the comic? This article considers the space between book arts and comics, asking how they might fit together and considering the possible benefits of this expanded reading for the comic book as a form.

The world of art publishing is often characterized by hefty exhibition catalogues and glossy artist monographs that aim to be comprehensive documentation of a theme or an artist’s output, but also cost more than pocket money to purchase. As art librarians we purchase, move, and sometimes read them every day. Occasionally a publication will catch your attention, maybe because it appears ephemeral, or perhaps because it more closely resembles books that you might accession into an artists’ books or artists’ publications collection. Occasional Papers publications have that look and yet their content points to a wider audience. Their philosophy of the cheap paperback makes them unusual in mainstream art publishing. How does a small publisher survive? Clearly by disregarding just about everything the publishing textbooks say. Occasional Papers has found its niche and sat down to tell us about it.

In 2011 the Courtauld Institute of Art was awarded funding for two new MA subjects looking to Asian art, in addition to its strengths studying art produced in the western tradition. The library was called on to build its collection around the new subjects to support the students in their studies. What selections tools and strategies have been used and what problems has the library encountered along the way? The new subjects are outlined and the library’s approach is discussed. Lessons were learned from the past and the library is about to embark in a new phase in its collecting history.