Type Books is known for its beautiful inventory, so much so that it’s easy to find yourself marveling at their exquisite and quirky art, photography, and fashion finds for hours on end. But the folks at Type have had enough with selling you only one or two new acquisitions—they want to sell you an entire library’s worth. Literally. Last week, Type Books announced a new custom library service that will see staff work with clients one-on-one to build a library to suit their needs. “Whether you want something academic, pictorial, or unusual, we can find what you’re looking for,” long-time staffer, author, and new library service coordinator Derek McCormack explains. “Type is happily committed to the off-beat.”
The MADE window display celebrating the new custom library service at Type.
Building custom libraries is not a new service for Type. They’ve been putting collections together since the flagship Queen Street store opened in 2006, but only recently decided it was time to go public with the service. After all, Type’s proven that building libraries is not just for people with money to spare and time to kill. High schools have turned to Type to amp up their art history section. Architecture firms have come to Type in order to keep their offices’ collections up to date. Engaged couples have registered for a his-and-hers dream library. Academics stop by to make sure they’re up to date in their field of research. If you’ve got the dream (and the cash) Type’s got the know-how to make your library happen.
McCormack will oversee the service and he promises that despite the official announcement, the public service will be as loose and personal as it has always been. “I’m here to steer people toward the good stuff and keep them away from the not-so-good stuff,” he explains. “It’s about finding what the client wants, but to also introduce them to stuff that is new and unexpected and fits into their tastes.” So whether you want a library that contains everything Freudian, Impressionist art, or simply the colour blue, Derek and company will find it for you.
The service does come with a price, but if you’ve got the funds to build an entire library we’re pretty sure the nominal (and negotiable) fee won’t bother you. And Type isn’t afraid to hook you up with an interior designer, architect, or any other service you may want—all you have to do is ask.
So go ahead and build the library of your dreams. Just be sure to let us borrow a book when you’re done.
The custom library service will officially launch this evening at Type Books (883 Queen Street West) from 7-8:30 p.m. with a presentation by MADE’s Shaun Moore and Julie Nicholson, who designed the excellent window display.
There is, ahem, a typo in the headline on the main page. ‘Typo’s helps’? Surely not!