Use the Library Catalog to find print books, print journals, and ebooks in the library's collection. Access the Library Catalog search through the library home page (https://www.holycross.edu/library). Above the search bar, select "Library Catalog." To use more advanced searching options, click on the "My Library Account" link below the search bar to go directly to the catalog, where you can search by keyword, title, subject, or call number.
Books on the shelves are organized by call number. A call number is an address for a book that tells you where the book is located on the shelf. Call numbers identify different subject areas, so books with similar call numbers will cover similar subjects. This way, when you find a book on the shelf, you know the books around it are on similar topics.
When you look up a book in CrossSearch or the Library Catalog, the call number is listed along with the book's location and its availability. Visual arts resources will have the location Dinand Visual Arts Wing.
Books will call numbers in the fine arts are located in the Visual Arts Wing in Dinand Library. This section is on the first floor of Dinand, to the left of the doors that lead to the Hogan Campus Center.
Materials related to Fine Arts are assigned call numbers that start with the letter N. Most call numbers then have a second letter to give a more specific subject:
| N -- Visual arts | ND -- Painting |
| NA -- Architecture | NE -- Print Media |
| NB -- Sculpture | NK -- Decorative Arts |
| NC -- Drawing. Design. Illustration | NX -- Arts in General |
A Note About Photography: The Library of Congress Classification system puts photography under the technology subject, not fine arts. Therefore, print materials related to photography have a different call number than other fine arts. The call number for photography is TR.
Many museums and archives have digitized collections available on their websites. If you are looking for a specific work of art or work by a specific artist, do some research to see if that artwork is part of a museum collection. Then, look for that museum's website to see if they have accompanying photos or information about the work. Museum websites will typically provide the most accurate image of the work along with verified citation information.
You can use library databases to find images and other art related sources. Visit the A-Z Database List to see all of the databases the library subscribes to. Use the Subjects dropdown menu to filter for Art & Architecture to see databases specific to visual arts. Some databases will include journal articles, book chapters, magazines, and other print sources. Other databases will include searchable image libraries. The list below includes some recommended databases.
Now part of JSTOR. Library of images relating to art and architecture, humanities, and social sciences.
Journal articles, magazines, and book chapters about art, art history, architecture, and design.
Academic ebooks about the history of art, architecture, decorative arts, photography, and design.
A collection of important reference works in the visual arts, including The Concise Dictionary of Oxford Art Terms, The Encyclopedia of Aesthetics, and The Oxford Companion to Western Art.
Artstor is a database the library subscribes to with a library of images relating to art and architecture, humanities, and social sciences. This is a searchable collection where you can save and sort images based on your research needs. Below are some other online sources for images. Be sure to review the Copyright page on this guide to understand how to use images in your work.