Special Collections and University Archives in the library at San Diego State University actively collects artists' books to support research and scholarship in fine printing and the art of the book. Special Collections collaborates frequently with faculty members and classes from the School of Art, Design and Art History at SDSU to support their artistic endeavors.

These books were made by students enrolled in Art 231/331 Beginning Jewelry and Metalsmithing in the School of Art, Design, and Art History. Students brainstormed about what they thought the essentials of a book are and then developed their own format/structure in metal for presenting a theme of their choice. A number of surface embellishment techniques were utilized to help convey the idea more expressively and make the piece more visually interesting. These techniques, which are taught during the first few weeks of the class, include acid etching, roller-printing, riveting, sweat-soldering, texturing, solder inlay, stamping, forming, and oxidation.