ART: Art is the study of art forms such as painting, sculpture and textiles. It includes appreciation, aesthetics, history, techniques and evaluation. Art can also be the practice of skills, taste and creative imagination in the definition or production of beauty.

SEARCH TERMS: When you need information, you should make sure you are looking under the right subject. Using the wrong terms can waste time and prevent you from finding readily available materials. Both the library catalog and indexes use standardized terms that may not be the commonly used ones. If you don't find anything under the first term you used, try a variety of others. Look in the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) books for terms to use for the library catalogs. Some examples are:

LCSH

Illumination of books and manuscripts
Impressionism
Art - Exhibition Techniques
Composition (Art)
Sculpture, Technique

BACKGROUND MATERIALS: The first step in an information search is locating background and review materials. General and subject specific encyclopedias, subject dictionaries, handbooks and other reference sources provide you with an overview of a topic and list basic facts. They point to major elements and important scholars of a subject. This information can give you ideas on how to focus or "narrow down" your topic. These are located in the encyclopedia area and in the reference shelves. Some examples are:

Encyclopedia of World Art                                                             R 703 E56 - Encyc. Area
Larousse Encyclopedia of Byzantine and Medieval Art         R 709.02 H987 - Encyc. Area
Encyclopedia of Photography                                          R 770.2 F652 1993 - Encyc. Area
Contemporary American Women Sculptors                              R 730.92 W339 - Reference
World Artists 1950-1980                                                             R 709.2 M346 - Reference
A Handbook of Chinese Art                                                       R 709.51 M491 - Reference

BOOKS: The second step in an information search is locating in-depth sources. Circulating books usually have more recent information than reference sources and cover single subjects in detail. You can search for books by title, author or subject using LCSH terms in SIRSI, the online library catalog. See the SIRSI handout if a reference librarian is unavailable to show you how to use it. Each entry in the catalog will show you the book's subjects and call number. Art related materials are in the 700s through the 790s. Techniques that use technology or applied science can be found in the 600s through the 690s as well. Some examples are:

LCSH Subject Book

Illumination of books and manuscripts The Books of Hours                        745.67 H328
Impressionism The Impressionists                                                             O 759.05 P596
Art - Exhibition Techniques Good Show                                                         069.5 W828
Composition (Art) Form and Texture                                                             701.8 H315
Sculpture, Technique Practical Casting                                                         671.2 M132

Remember that call numbers arrange books by subject so if you find a book that is on your topic and need more, browse the books in the same area. Examine the table of contents and the indexes to see if your subject is covered.

JOURNAL ARTICLES: The third step in an information search is locating current information. Articles usually have the most current information available. Indexes and abstracts list articles by subject. Appropriate indexes for art are the Humanities Index and the Social Science Index on the Index Table and Academic Index, on online CD-ROM index of recent, general academic articles. See the InfoTrac/CD-ROM and Indexes and Abstracts handouts if a reference librarian is unavailable to assist you. Other indexes may be appropriate for specialized subjects. Ask the reference librarian if you are not sure where to look.

Keep in mind that journals and magazines vary in academic quality. If you need scholarly research materials, use the academic journals instead of general magazines.

CURRENT: Other current materials can be found by browsing the new books shelf. You can browse the new periodical shelves for newly released art journals and magazines that are not yet indexed as well.

FURTHER RESEARCH: Additional ways to research include examining bibliographies in reference books, books and articles for similar materials. You can request materials we do not own through Interlibrary Loan. The vertical file contains various pamphlets, handouts and documents arranged by subject. For specific needs, there is chart and picture file available as well.

DON'T GO AWAY EMPTY HANDED!!! If you are having trouble locating what you need, just ask for a reference librarian. We are here to help!
 

DON'T GO AWAY EMPTY HANDED!!!   If you are having trouble locating what you need, just ask for a reference librarian. We are here to help!