Book Arts: Programs & Museums

California Rare Book School is a continuing education program dedicated to providing the requisite knowledge and skills for professionals working in all aspects of the rare book community, and for students interested in entering the field. CalRBS offers week-long courses covering a broad range of topics.

The two-year, comprehensive Bookbinding program teaches students how to make, restore, and preserve books and other printed treasures.

Rare Book School (RBS) is an independent, non-profit and tax-exempt institute supporting the study of the history of books and printing and related subjects, based at the University of Virginia.

SFCB is a non-profit organization that fosters the joy of books and bookmaking, the history, artistry, and continuing presence of books in our culture and enduring importance as a medium of self-expression. We provide both a home for Bay Area book artists and a place where the wider community can discover book arts. Co-founded by Mary Austin, Wellesley Class of '82.

A distinctive degree-granting program that integrates training in book arts practice and technique with research into the history and culture of books.

We celebrate and share the history, tools and process of bookbinding. Our tours begin with hand binding in the 16th century. You'll see beautiful machines invented in the 19th century, automating bookbinding. Come hear the story of the book.

A leading advocate in its field, The Carle collects, preserves, presents, and celebrates picture books and picture book illustrations from around the world. In addition to underscoring the cultural, historical, and artistic significance of picture books and their art form, The Carle offers educational programs that provide a foundation for arts integration and literacy.

Hamilton Manufacturing was America’s largest and longest wood type maker. We have the world’s greatest collection of type and the tools to use it. You can tour over 40,000 square feet of printing history from slabs of rough-cut maple to row upon row of exquisite type.

Hatch Show Print, a working letterpress print shop since 1879, uses its vast collection of vintage type and hand-carved imagery to create timeless designs that express and commemorate America's evolving cultural identity.

The Museum of Printing is dedicated to preserving the history of the graphic arts, printing equipment and printing craftsmanship.

The Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking is an internationally renowned resource on the history of paper and paper technology. In addition to more than 2,000 books, the museum features a remarkable collection of over 10,000 watermarks, papers, tools, machines, and manuscripts. The museum’s mission is to collect, preserve, increase and disseminate knowledge about papermaking – past, present and future.