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Collection Development Manual > Libraries & Collections > Central Library > Art and Architecture

Art and Architecture

The Art and Architecture collection includes materials about various art media - architecture, ceramic arts, metalwork, jewelry, drawing and works on paper, textile arts, glass, furniture, painting, and photography - as well as graphic design, calligraphy, interior design, crafts such as knitting and needlework, art marketing and business, and collectibles (from stamps to antiques to pottery).

This collection encompasses a broad range of topic areas, but in general materials cover technique, history, and biography in each subject (e.g., painting or photography will have books covering these three areas). Reference materials such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, and guides to artistic schools, historical periods, or the art and craft of a particular country, city, or region are also a major part of this collection.

While the library is not increasing its focus in any of the areas in the art and architecture collection, there are some areas of particular strength. The library pays particular attention to acquiring the following: materials on printmaking; reference works listing auction prices; guides to collecting art, photography, furniture, handcrafts, and other objects; practical works on calligraphy and historical treatments of the subject; interior design; explanations of historical processes; materials discussing vernacular or green architecture; works containing information about local architects or architectural works; and urban planning.

Artists, students, collectors, hobbyists, teachers, and people with a casual interest or an independent research project all use the Art and Architecture collection. The part of the collection that contains historical treatment of painting (759) supports students doing masters level research.

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Further materials on urban planning, most particularly those that deal with the sociology and history of communities, are also found in the Social Sciences collection. Works discussing landscape architecture and the construction and design of garden structures are kept with the House and Home collection. Some materials on craft subjects (such as sewing) are also housed in the House and Home collection. Works on home and building construction are part of the Technology collection.

Books and other materials that discuss the collecting of objects, or that list values and give historical information intended for collectors are mainly housed in the Art and Architecture collection, but some books about collecting some kinds of items fall in other areas. Some examples are: collectible radios and televisions, and automobiles (which are all kept in the Technology collection), and general kitchen collectibles (kept in the Manufacturing collection).

At Central Library, the Social Sciences, House and Home, Technology, and Manufacturing collections are all housed in the Science & Business room, and the Performing Arts collection is kept in the Humanities rooms.

Multnomah County Library also has an extensive picture file, which has been added to and maintained since the early 1920s. The picture file contains magazine clippings on a wide array of subjects, as well as pictures from calendars, books, prints, cards, and other sources. Some areas of focus are: art subjects (including painting and photography), interior design and fashion (by country, designer, and decade), architecture, furniture, theater, methods of transportation, countries and cities, gardens, and animals. The picture file is located in the Art & Music room at Central Library.