The Architecture and Fine Arts Library

By Beverly Carver

Architecture and Fine Arts Library branch manager Beverly Carver (center, spiderweb dress for reception's Halloween theme) hosts regular receptions at the AFA library to encourage the close connections her staff have formed with their constituent departments. Left to right : Margaret Oerter, Donald Quarles, Carver, Gerald Saxon, Parry Olsen. Saxon is the Libraries' Associate Director; Olsen has retired since this photo was taken. Photo by Margaret Oerter.

The beauty of branch libraries is their ability to operate in the heart of their constituencies. Hence, the Architecture and Fine Arts Library is located on the first floor of the Architecture building. Overlooking a green courtyard complete with a large fountain, the beautifully-placed library was originally designed to house the architecture collection, but has grown to include art and music. Located within easy walking distance for all three disciplines, the library often serves as a meeting place as well as a study and research facility. The staff includes two librarians and three library assistants, as well as a number of student workers.

The collection includes materials about architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, art, art history, photography, graphic arts, and music. In addition to books and journals, the library has videos, music CD’s, LP’s, portfolios, scores, maps, and rare books. The listening lab, located in the library, has facilities for listening to cassette tapes, records, and CD’s, VCR’s and monitors for watching videos, a multimedia workstation with a DVD player, and slide viewers for art history and architectural history slide reviews. Also, the library serves as the archive for UTA Music Department concerts.

Each semester a staff member designs an exhibit that stays up for the entire semester. The Spring 2002 exhibit, designed by Margaret Oerter, highlights Dr. Linton Powell’s (Music) summer trip to Spain and Portugal with the St. Mark’s Choir. It includes pictures of some of the places they visited and programs from their concerts. In addition, the library shows student work. Models constructed by architecture students are regularly displayed on top of some of the bookshelves. Currently, Lee Wright’s (Architecture) second year studio projects, 3-D renderings of Picasso paintings, are on display. A recent exhibit of student work from Susan Sitzes’ (Art) metal class featured items made using rivets. Upcoming exhibits include prints from Nancy Palmeri’s (Art) printmaking class and a selection of artists’ books from the library collection.

The library continues to grow and expand services. This year, our contract with Xerox included the addition of a coin operated color copier. A new wireless network has been installed, and soon, students and faculty will be able to check out one of three laptops for use in the library. Additional shelving will be installed soon to hold oversize books, making them easier to locate.

Branch Libraries Not Minor Entities	From the Director	SEL	AFA
Friends of the Libraries Going Full Steam	ARRI	Special Collections	Donor List
	King Foundation	Snapshots