Changes Underway at the ACC Library and Archives

In 2023, the American Craft Council restated its mission and adopted a strategic framework that prioritizes programs and services for working craft artists, publishing and storytelling as a means to develop a broad audience for the handcrafted, and events that connect artists and appreciators. As we implement our strategic plan, ACC is seeking to partner with one or more organizations to help meet two complementary objectives: ensuring that our library and archives materials become more accessible to craft researchers, writers, and advocates; and reducing ACC’s financial responsibility for stewarding these important materials.

ACC intends to retain our own institutional archives and the files of artists who have received biennial ACC Awards, and to find a new home for our book collection and other materials. A search for partners eager to provide that new home is now underway. Overseen by a task force of dedicated ACC trustees and staff, the search process has yielded statements of interest from nine organizations across the United States. The task force will invite one or more of these organizations to submit full proposals.

We look forward to evaluating the proposals thoughtfully, and announcing the partner(s) we have selected in the coming months. While the library has closed for packing and storage, the ACC Archives collections remain available for researchers to access at our Minneapolis office. Beth Goodrich, aka the Crafty Librarian, has officially moved into the role of American Craft Council archivist.