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Art and Architecture Research Guide

  • This guide lists *selected* resources for art and architecture research at the UCSB Libraries. Most of these resources can be used as starting points for any topic in the field of art and architecture, regardless of period, medium, etc. For general research resources, return to the Research section of the UCSB Libraries' website.

  • Reference assistance (i.e., help with locating and using reference sources and research materials up to but excluding conducting in-depth research) is available to UCSB students, faculty, and staff, as well as non-UCSB researchers visiting the library in person or with questions related specifically to UCSB Arts Library resources.

  • Please ask at the circulation desk in the Arts Library or contact an art librarian to make an appointment:

    Susan Moon

    Head, Arts Library

    (805) 893-3613

    moon@library.ucsb.edu


    TABLE OF CONTENTS

    I need:

     
    QUICK LINKS:
    Article Indexes  |   Encyclopedias  |   Dictionaries  |   Biographical Sources  |   Bibliographies

    ALTERNATE VERSIONS OF THE ART & ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH GUIDE:
    short guide (pdf): available in print near library reference desks
    long guide (pdf): edited & reformatted version of these web pages

     

    FINDING BOOKS AND DISSERTATIONS

  • Library catalogs are the starting point for locating books in the UCSB Libraries.

    Pegasus
          UCSB Libraries' online catalog

    MelvylŪ
          Catalog of the University of California Libraries

    WorldCat
          Beyond the UC system, this database represents material held in thousands of libraries, many of which make their collections available through interlibrary loan (ILL).

    Dissertations & Theses
          For UCSB theses and dissertations, search Pegasus. For dissertations from other institutions, search WorldCat or Dissertations and Theses. Most UC dissertations written since 1997 are available online; to request other dissertations found on Dissertations and Theses, use an ILL form.

    Virtual Catalogue for Art History
          Free web resource, allowing metasearching of European art library catalogs.

  •  

    SEARCH TIPS:

    • Select search type KEYWORD and enter key words that describe your topic.
    • Use synonyms and related terms for different results.
      • Use truncation to search for word variants, e.g., photograph* searches for photographers, photographic, photographs, photography, etc.
      • Too few results? Broaden your search by removing keywords or using a more general term.
      • Too many results? Narrow your search by adding another keyword or using a more specific term.
      • Look at subject headings for different terms to refocus your search:

      KEYWORDS
      (words you think up on your own)

      SUBJECT HEADINGS
      (words you find in a library catalog or article index)

      contemporary American art

      Art, American--21st century

      architectural theory

      Architecture--Philosophy

      urban planning

      City planning

      digital animation

      Computer animation

  • Other places to look for books include article databases (some of which index books and dissertations as well as journals) and bibliographies.

  • Not finding what you need? Return to the table of contents or contact an art librarian.

    Author: SM
    Last modified: 2008-09-04