The founding of the APDLA helped to define artists' books and publications, providing a context for the focused criticism and study of the medium and a center from which artists could distribute their work throughout the world.

The APDLA is now located in Nantes, just near from the Lieu Unique and this relocation has allowed the APDLA to re-contextualize itself within the contemporary art world, drawing fresh attention to the medium of artists' books and their future.