Architecture and Fine Arts Library is a Resource for Local Professionals

By Mitch Stepanovich

Working with our architecture students and meeting their information needs is rewarding enough. But it’s the real-life questions from our clientele in the community that bring an added dimension to our work and also takes the entire information process full circle back to working with our students. Today’s students will eventually take their place in the architecture community to return again with specific real-life information needs. Occasionally they will refer other colleagues to us. A few choice examples come readily to mind that show the range of questions from theoretical design issues to specific architectural details.

One architect had a client who wanted a new house designed in the Mediterranean style and came to us hoping to find a variety of such styles that he could draw upon for inspiration.

Another was engaged in some redesign work for a local client that had an existing house of classical design. The architect wanted other similar examples to ensure that the redesign blended in and not detract from the existing structural design.

On a more detailed level, one question dealt with the issue of size and spacing of ceiling joists. If you want to open up the ceiling somewhat to add a new dimension of spaciousness and will be removing some of them, how does that affect the size and spacing of the remaining joists?

On a somewhat legal topic, although we don’t engage in interpreting legal issues, was the question on stairwells and building code interpretation. Although a particular stairwell was not in violation of code, there were issues regarding prudent updating of handrails and general stair safety that could have prevented an incident and the client was in need of specific details to support code interpretation.

It gives our work an added dimension of meaning when we see members of the architecture community in our facility, whether it is to engage us with specific questions or to browse the available current literature in our collection.

Mitch Stepanovich is a subject librarian in the Architecture and Fine Arts library. Reach him at 817-272-2945 or by email at stepanovich@uta.edu . The web page for the branch is at http://libraries.uta.edu/afa/ .