Reference assistance is available by appointment. The following FAQs are posted in an attempt to help patrons requiring assistance when the librarian is not available. If you need additional reference assistance please phone 614-247-2345 to make an appointment with Amanda Gluibizzi, or contact her by email at gluibizzi.2@osu.edu.

How can I find information on a specific artist?

To find books about an artist check OSCAR, the OSU online library catalog, using the name of the artist as a subject heading, or as an author, or in a keyword search. You may find it necessary to perform all three searches for any one artist. When performing these searches in OSCAR type in last name, first name (example: Picasso Pablo). You may omit the first name if you do not know it. OSCAR will indicate whether or not we have books about this artist. 

To learn if there are periodical articles about an artist, check ART ABSTRACTS using the name of the artist in a subject search or a keyword search. Again, type in last name, first name (example: Picasso Pablo). You may omit the first name if you do not know it.

How can I find a specific image in the library?

If you know the name of the artist who created the artwork, you might want to follow the steps outlined above for locating information on a specific artist. When you locate books or periodical articles about the artist in question, you can then check to see if the artwork of interest is illustrated in these publications.

An alternative method is to use ART ABSTRACTS and limit the "Article Type" to "Art Reproduction" and type either the title of the artwork in the box "Keyword or phrase," or the artist’s name in the box "Author."

 
You can also search the Art & Architecture Digital Media (OhioLINK)  Access points include name of artist (“creator”), title of artwork, or several other options. 

How can I purchase a reproduction of a specific artwork?

Many art museums maintain stores that sell reproductions of works in their collections. If you know which museum owns the original work of art in which you are interested, you might contact that museum to learn if you can purchase a reproduction.

How can I determine the value of an artwork?

The staff of the Fine Arts Library does not appraise works of art. You must contract with a professional appraiser for this service.  We suggest you look in the Yellow Pages of the telephone directory under the heading "appraisers." The Fine Arts Library has limited print resources you can use in the library to investigate prices of major art works sold at auction.  For that we recommend Mayer (formerly International Auction Records), which is shelved in the Fine Arts Library reference collection under the call number N8640M39. Each annual volume of Mayer indexes major art works sold at auction during the previous calendar year.

How can I learn more about conducting research in an art library?

A highly recommended art library guide is Jones, Lois Swan. Art Information: Research Methods and Resources (3rd edition. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1990), which explains major reference resources in an art library.   This guide is shelved in the Fine Arts Library reference collection under the call number N85 J64 1990.

How can I learn more about conducting art research on the Internet?

Art Information and the Internet: How to Find it, How to Use it  (Phoenix: Oryx Press, 1999) is an essential guide to the World Wide Web for students, scholars and art history researchers.  Art Information and the Internet is shelved in the Fine Arts Library reference collection under the call number N59 J66 1999.

Where can I find slides of art?

The Fine Arts Library does not maintain slide collections. The University's slide collection is housed in The Visual Resources Library

Where can I find multimedia concerning art topics or artists?

The Fine Arts Library has a growing collection of multimedia, all listed in OSCAR.  Many of our multimedia circulate for one week, although some must be used in the library.  We have multimedia equipment and a comfortable seating area in the library if you wish to view materials here. Ask for assistance at our circulation desk.

Additional multimedia can be viewed through the Digital Video Collection (OhioLINK).