About

Reference and Instruction

The art librarian offers reference service both in person or virtually and provides orientation tours and bibliographic instruction sessions upon request.

Reference works such as art dictionaries and encyclopedias, biographical directories of artists, museum directories, indexes to reproductions, and art history bibliographies are shelved in the reference section.

The UW Libraries provides access to a number of indexes in subjects related to the study of art, including Art Abstracts, Bibliography of the History of Art, Design and Applied Arts Index, Arts & Humanities Citation Index, Dissertation Abstracts, Historical Abstracts, and Index to Christian Art. Most are restricted to UW users.

Don't know where to start your research?  See the Art Subject Guide.

Locating Materials

The UW Libraries Search provides information on the holdings of the UW Libraries system, and includes the holdings of the Art Library. Art Library shelving locations are also indicated in the online catalog.

• Books are shelved by call number in the general stacks according to the Library of Congress classification system.
• Bound volumes of periodicals are arranged alphabetically by call number as well. Current unbound issues of selected periodicals are kept behind the circulation desk or on the current periodicals display shelves. Unbound issues of other periodicals are kept with the bound volumes.

See Course Reserves for information on reserves.

Printing and Copying

A self-service copier for black/white copies is located in the alcove that houses the over-sized books. The copier also accepts print jobs from library workstations and from patron laptops if you've downloaded the print drivers for the Art Library. For payment, the copier accepts University of Washington Husky cards, as well as Dawg-Prints cards; cash is not accepted.  The Art Library has a Dawg-Prints card dispenser that accepts $5 in cash.

Book Return

A book return for the return of materials when the library is closed is located in the hall, west of the Art Library entrance. Materials (except reserve materials and some fragile materials) may be returned to any UW Library. Locations of outside book returns are shown on the map of libraries on the Seattle campus.

Accessibility

The staff provides assistance to patrons with disabilities in the retrieval of books or in the use of library tools and resources. Check the ADA Access Guide for specific information about the Art Building. More information

Art Library Staff

Erin Conor
Head, Music, Art, and Drama Libraries
206-685-3140
econor@uw.edu

Reference help is available in person and by phone. See hours and a map to the Art Library.

24/7, online and mobile help: Ask Us!