Arthur D. Jenkins Library of Textile Arts

An internationally known resource for textile information, the Arthur D. Jenkins Library was established in 1925 by collector George Hewitt Myers, founder of The Textile Museum, and Arthur D. Jenkins, also a collector of rugs and textiles.

Please note: the Arthur D. Jenkins Library is closed now through the remainder of the year for reorganization. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The Library's collection of nearly 20,000 volumes is now accessible via TextileMuse, a searchable online catalogue. Click on the banner below to search the database.

Please note: the Arthur D. Jenkins Library is closed now through the remainder of the year for reorganization. We apologize for any inconvenience.
The Library is typically open to the public, free of charge, Wednesday through Friday from 10 am to 2 pm and on Saturday from 10 am until 4 pm. The Library is closed on Federal holidays. An open stack policy and assistance from a knowledgeable staff facilitate the research experience of visitors. The library serves scholars, collectors, artists, craftspeople and students from elementary school through graduate school.

The Library's holdings include beautifully illustrated monographs, rare out-of-print books and current scholarly studies on the art and cultural history of the cultures that produce these textiles. Children's books about textile materials and techniques as well as stories about children in various cultures are available for browsing.

It is the only library in the United States to index journals and periodicals in the field of textiles, a service which identifies for the researcher the most current textile scholarship.

The Library has an extensive collection of textile glossaries and bibliographies to assist researchers. These bibliographic resources are of significant value in the discipline of textiles where bibliographic references are often scattered and difficult to locate.

Textiles Bibliography
The Librarian compiles an annual bibliography of current textile literature, co-published by The Textile Museum and the Textile Society of America, which has an international distribution to textile scholars, museums, and cultural institutions. Click here to download the 2005 bibliography.

Education Directory
The Library staff has assembled a directory of educational programs in textile history, conservation, museum studies, textile science, textile and apparel design, and fiber arts. Click here to download the Education Directory.

International Directory of Textile Collections
The Library staff has created an international directory of textile collections. Click here to download this directory.

For reference assistance contact the Library by telephone at (202) 667-0441, ext. 31 or by fax at (202) 483-0994.

© 2008 THE TEXTILE MUSEUM, 2320 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008-4088,
202-667-0441