Call Numbers for Art & Design

Art encompasses many disciplines. For example, when searching for material pertinent to Greek art you may need to look in the archeology and/or history sections.

Most of the material relevant to art can be found in the “N” call numbers:
N= Visual Arts (art as a profession, general works, exhibitions, study and teaching of art...)

Call numbers related to the arts

Top

Find a Book

Material in reference is useful to begin your research or to find quick information.

• Check the catalog and the Art & Design Databases.
• If you find an item at ASU or UNCA, use our ABC Express service.
• There are several options available for obtaining material that is not located in Hunter Library. Click here for a list of free services.
• You can also search in WorldCat or in bibliographies. WorldCat is an online database and will provide you with a list of items in libraries in the USA and abroad. You will need to use the interlibrary loan service to get the items not at ASU or UNCA.
• Is your research taking too long? Ask for help.

Tips to Search the Catalog

• Learn the difference between keyword and subject searching.
• Enter keywords that describe your topic.
• The library catalog accepts both theater and theatre.
• Click on the subject heading to anything in the catalog about your topic.
• Use synonyms and related terms for different results.
• Use the * to search for word variants. For example, 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.  

Top

Subject Headings Search

Subject Headings allow you to search library catalogs for materials on a particular topic. Often Subject Headings searching can be more productive than searching by simple keywords.

Listed here is a selection of some major subject headings of interest for art & design:

• Art
• Art and society
• Art criticism
• Art—History
• Art—Philosophy
• Art Study and Teaching
• Color In Interior Decoration
• Decorative Arts
• Graphic Design Typography
• House Furnishings
• Interior Decoration
• Pottery
• Symbolism in art

Top

Bibliographies

Are useful lists of important research resources and often include an annotation with critical descriptions.

Bibliographies cover the literature over a longer period, providing in-depth research that can lead to other resources. Some bibliographies explain research strategies and methodologies.

In the Library Catalog try a keyword search using art and bibliographies.

Art Information: Research Methods and Resources
Contains an annotated bibliography of resources by period, geography, resource type, medium. Offers detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to find information for common types of art research problems. Strong for iconographical research. The appendices include terminology. GEN N85. J64 1990

Art Information and the Internet: How to Find it, How to Use it
Provides a list of resources and search strategies for the Internet. REF N59.J66 1999

Research Guide to the History of Western Art
Most of the book contains information on historiography, methodology, and theoretical approaches of art history. Bibliographies and an annotated bibliography are included. GEN N380 .K56 1982

Visual Arts Research: a Handbook
Information on how to research artists and works of art. Includes a list of references. GEN N85 .P55 1986

Guide to the Literature of Art History (Available at ASU, use the ABC Express to request the book)
Guide to the Literature of Art History 2
Both of these books cover works published in Western European languages before 1998. Works are listed by medium, by period and geography. Non-Western art is included. GEN N380.Z9 A67 2005 

Top

Find Media

You can find the media collection in the Curriculum Materials Center (CMC). Hunter Library outlines borrowing policies for audio, video, and multimedia. In addition to browsing, you can also search the collection using the catalog.

To search for videos and DVDs in our media collection type “film and [your topic]”. Example: film and theater.

A list of items will come up. From the scroll down menu (where you limit your search by institution), select DVD/Video and then click search again. This search will limit your search by medium, but will not limit the search to WCU.

Please note that ASU and UNCA have different lending policies for audio/video material.

A selected list of new visual material is available here. This list changes monthly.

Top