Find a Book

The library catalog can be searched in several ways.

Subject Searches

Subject Searches are good when you only have a general topic, like quilting or how to paint. Remember, subject searches are not written in "natural" language. If you are looking for books on how to paint, you have to think of what subject that would be under (Painting technique).

Select Subject from the search screen in the online catalog and type a search term. The results will list the broad subject and its sub-categories. Click on the subject term to view our holdings for this subject.

Examples:

• Art
• Architecture
• Painting technique
• Sculpture

If your search produces no results, consider using a keyword search.

Keyword Searches

Keyword Searches are good when you are looking for a type of book and you can't think of a subject heading. For books on how to paint, you can type "how to paint" in the keyword search box. This will give you books that have the words how and paint in the title or description.

Select Keyword from the search screen in the online catalog and type a search term.

• Search for a phrase: How to paint (will look for the words How and To and Paint)
  You could put quotation marks around the phrase "How to Paint" and the search would bring back items that have the words "how to paint" as an exact phrase.
• Search for keywords: Abstract Expressionist (will look for the words Abstract and Expressionist)

If you find a book you like, look at the subject heading. Use the subject heading to do another search for more books.

Common Call Numbers

You may also wish to browse the shelves in the following call number areas to locate books.

• 700 Fine Arts
• 712 Gardens
• 720 Architecture
• 730 Sculpture
• 741 Drawing
• 745 Crafts
• 747 Interior Design
• 759 Painters
• 770 Photography

Find an Article

Use an index to find articles about a topic. Indexes and full-text magazines and newspapers are available at the library and through our website. To use the library's online indexes, go to Research & Subject Guides and select Databases. The databases listed below are under Magazines on the database page.

• General One File
• Expanded Academic ASAP

You can use a subject or a keyword search to find magazine articles. If you have a complex topic, use a keyword search.

If you are looking for an article published around or prior to 1980, you will need to use a print index. Print indexes are available in the Periodicals Department on the third floor.

• Art Index, 1932-
• Poole's Index to Periodical Literature, 1802-1906
• Reader's Guide to Periodicals, 1900-

Magazines at the Library
Selected Magazines available at the Main Library (available on the third floor):

• Art in America
• Artist's Magazine
• ARTnews
• Arts & Crafts
• Fiberarts
• Petersen's Photographic

Reference Books

Art Reference materials are located in the Fine Arts room, separate from the general reference collection. Selections include:

• The Dictionary of Art (REF 703 D554 v. 1-34)
• Who was who in American Art 1564-1975 (REF 709.22W6284 v. 1-3)
• Davenports Art Reference and Price Guide (REF 702.9 D2479)