The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute encourages the creation of Marian and religious art locally, nationally, and internationally. By collecting art and artifactual materials that reflect the religious beliefs and Marian devotion of people of many different ethnicities and cultures and from various times in the Church, it seeks to provide resources for a broad and interdisciplinary spectrum of Marian studies and scholarship. In recognition of the power art has to communicate beyond words, an art gallery and a crèche museum were inaugurated and are actively maintained. Traveling art exhibits are prepared and offered for loan.