The Book Arts Guild was founded in Seattle in 1979 by a small group including bookbinders, printers, paper decorators, and librarians. It has been actively promoting traditional book-making crafts and contemporary book arts ever since.  Among the group’s current members are bookbinders, papermakers, calligraphers, all forms of printers, image makers, paper decorators, typographers, designers, educators, librarians, collectors, vendors, publishers, students and aficionados. Most members reside in the Pacific Northwest, but membership is open to anyone with enthusiasm and interest.

The Guild encourages education and appreciation of all forms of the book arts, through artist lecture presentations, and workshops on specific technical skills as well as the content and philosophy of making books. Through long-time co-sponsorship from the University of Washington Libraries, many of the lectures are held on campus in Special Collections and afford special opportunity to see items from the Book Arts Collection.  The wide spectrum of interests of the Book Arts Guild ensures that program topics are varied and include opportunities for beginners as well as practicing professionals.