Find Reference Books
Reference books cannot be checked out; however, some titles may have a duplicate in the main collection that is available for checkout. Search the title you need in the library catalog to see if the book is located elsewhere in the library and available for checkout. Books are shelved in Library of Congress (LC) call number order, so similar subjects will be shelved next to each other.
- Catalog This link opens in a new window
To find a specific title:
Use the Library catalog and limit your results to "Reference Collection." Once you find a book, use the Table of Contents and Index(es) to find your topic or subject in the book and to see how it relates to other topics.
To find art related subjects:
Use the Library catalog. Try a subject search for "art," or similar subjects, then browse and select subjects of interest to you.
To browse the Reference Collection:
Most art books are found in the N call number section.
Library of Congress Call Numbers and Subject Headings for Art | ||
---|---|---|
N | Visual Art (general) | |
N 5300 - N 5700 | Art History | |
NA | Architecture | |
NB | Sculpture | |
NC | Drawing (design, advertising, cartoons, posters) | |
ND | Painting | |
NE | Print Media (woodcuts, lithography, engravings) | |
NK | Decorative Arts | |
NK 3700 - NK 4695 | Ceramics, Pottery, Porcelain | |
NX | Arts in Combination | |
PN 1998 | Films as Art | |
TR | Photography | |
TP 700s, TP 800s | Ceramics | |
TT 900s | Ceramics |
✓ See also: opens new window Library of Congress Classification Outline: Class N - Fine Art
Sample Titles in the Library Reference Collection
- Catalog This link opens in a new window
To find any of the titles below, search the Library catalog by each title and limit your results to "Reference Collection."
- American Art: History and Culture byCall Number: N6505.C7 ReferenceISBN: 0810919427Publication Date: 1994
- The Biographical Directory of Native American Painters byCall Number: N6536.L47 ReferenceISBN: 0806199369Publication Date: 1995
- Encyclopedia of Comparative Iconography: Themes Depicted in Works of Art byCall Number: N7560.E53 ReferenceISBN: 1579580092Publication Date: 1998
- Bulfinch Guide to Art History: A Comprehensive Survey and Dictionary of Western Art and Architecture byCall Number: N380.B78 1996 ReferenceISBN: 082122137xPublication Date: 1996
- Dictionary of Abstract Painting byCall Number: ND35.B4 ReferencePublication Date: 1958
Reference Databases
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
- Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
See: opens new windowSubject Pages for Art
View mind map examples: opens new windowRenaissance, opens new windowTheatre
- Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
- Points of View Reference Center This link opens in a new window