Ricker Library of Architecture and Art

Key Resources

The following is a list of some key resources related to art and architecture. These are meant to be as a starting point–be sure to check our Finding Resources page for more links and searching tips.

Find Articles & Journals

• A + T Architectural Publishers The digital collection of A+T Architecture Publishers, consisting of monographs and series on design, architecture, and other topics related to the built environment.
• ABM (ARTbibliographies Modern) – modern and contemporary art, global coverage since 1945
• Art and Architecture Source – global and time coverage, fulltext
• Art and Architecture Archive – fulltext of important art and architecture journals of 20th century
• Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals – most important architecture journal index, can search for sections, elevations, etc.
• BHA / IBA – most comprehensive global art research resource, many languages represented
• El Croquis Digital – online version of key architectural magazine 1983 on
• Design and Applied Arts Index – articles specifically on design and the applied arts
• Design Abstracts Retrospective – DAR covers articles on all design, from architecture to embroidery…cover many of the most important design and applied arts journals and annuals published during the twentieth century.
• Frick Art Reference Library Periodicals Index – represents holdings from one of the most comprehensive art research libraries in the world
• JSTOR – extensive backfile of scholarly journals in fulltext
• Art & Architecture Databases A-Z – even more databases to choose from!

Find Books

• University of Illinois Library Catalog (includes I-Share collections) – materials we own/can easily borrow
• My Library Account – renew, see what you have on hold, etc.
• OCLC Worldcat – shared library catalog across thousands of institutions, find out what’s out there

Additional Resources

Databases & Tools

• ARTstor – Image Database
• Artnet – Auction Results Database
• Building Types Online – Building projects organized by typology
• DETAIL Inspiration – Selected projects from the highly respected DETAIL journal
• #FromMarginToCenter Library Guides – Guides highlights marginalized creators
• Getty Research Portal – represents holdings, cataloging tools, and digital projects from one of the most comprehensive art research libraries in the world
• Index of Medieval Art – Journal articles about medieval art
• Krannert Art Museum Exhibition Library Guides – Guides highlighting KAM shows
• MAD CAD – Building Codes Online
• Material ConneXion – Materials Database
• Proquest Dissertations and Theses – listing of dissertations across schools in the US and Canada
• Oxford Art Online – encyclopedia of art
• Oxford Bibliographies Online: Art History – annotated bibliographies across art history topics
• Oxford Bibliographies Online: Architecture Planning and Preservation – annotated bibliographies across architectural history and preservation topics
• University of Illinois Digital Collections – local research collections held by U of I

Library Services

• Interlibrary Loan – request scans and loans of items we don’t own
• Doc Express – request scans of items we own
• Research Consultations – get help figuring out resources for your research

Trial Databases!

• Video Data Bank Streaming: founded at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) in 1976 at the inception of the media arts movement, Video Data Bank (VDB) is a leading resource in the United States for video by and about contemporary artists. The VDB’s collection has grown to include the work of more than 600 artists and 6,000 video art titles.
• The Plan Journal. Click on the “login” button when trying to view full text, and the site will pass you through to the full text of the articles. The Plan Journal (TPJ) intends to disseminate and promote innovative, thought-provoking and relevant research, studies and criticism in architecture and urbanism. Please press “login” in order to access the content. If you are on campus (or if you use the proxy or VPN) you will be automatically logged into UIUC’s institutional account.
• Art and Architecture ePortal this one only goes to the end of September “Developed and maintained by Yale University Press (YUP), the A&AePortal is a unique digital platform offering a curated selection of important art and architectural history titles, along with books in related disciplines (i.e., visual and material culture, classics, and religion). Its library comprises out-of-print, backlist, new, and born-digital books from YUP and various publishing partners, with some 50 books being added each year.”
• OnArchitecture. “OnArchitecture is the first and most complete audiovisual library specialized in architecture. It presents the main trends of the discipline, focused in architecture schools, academics and students. OnArchitecture’s video catalog includes interviews with prominent architects across the world, records of their main works and installations, as well as interviews with the users of the spaces. Our OnArchitecture library has been developed for more than 12 years by OnArchitecture and is updated on a regular basis.”