The Cranbrook Academy of Art Library houses about 27,000 volumes, the majority within the visual arts fields. The collection is strong in contemporary art and has extensive holdings in each of the ten disciplines studied at the Academy.

The Academy library is one of seven throughout Cranbrook Educational Community linked by an integrated library system (SirsiDynix Horizon). Holdings from the Cranbrook Schools libraries (K-12) and the Cranbrook Archives may also be viewed from the Academy library's computers or through the Web interface.

The library subscribes to approximately 190 periodicals, mostly within the visual arts. Indexes available in the library include Art Abstracts and Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals. Numerous research and image databases are also available.

Audio visual equipment -- LCD projectors, video and digital cameras, slide projectors, overhead projectors, VCRs, tape recorders, and tripods -- is also available for circulation.

Special collections include Cranbrook Academy of Art theses and masters statements; Cranbrook Press books; fine art folios from the collection of George Booth; audio cassette tapes and videos of Academic lectures; artists' books; videocassettes; DVDs; and vertical files on Cranbrook artists.

The library's collection development policy outlines the guidelines and methods used for selecting materials for the collection.