A guide to library resources for Art & Design History 2008-09
There are a number of ways in which the library can assist you with your studies. As well as providing the books and journals you might expect you can also access a wide range of online databases & e-journals. You can read the daily newspapers, borrow slides, DVDs and videos. You can also make use of the computing facilities and photocopiers. A selection of equipment, including digital projectors, is available for loan too. The library can provide you with information on careers and study skills helping you make the most of your time at Kingston and preparing you for the next step. Zones are provided to suit your preferred style of working from silent study to group work. See the Studying in the Learning Resources Centres leaflet.
This guide will introduce you to the library resources that are available to you as Art & Design History students. You should also refer to the following leaflets and take the Virtual LRC Tour on StudentSpace.
Getting started
Using StudentSpace, StudySpace and OSIS
A Guide to the Learning Resources Centres
Studying in the Learning Resources Centres
Using the catalogue You can search the collections using the library catalogue. There are dedicated terminals in the library but you can also access it online via StudentSpace (click on Library) so you can save a wasted journey if the items you want are on loan. You can reserve items that are out on loan online too by clicking on the
symbol
to the right of the record or by selecting place request from the options at the top of the page. The my account function is also available enabling you to view your own account details and renew items. Follow the on screen instructions. If you do not have off campus access to the internet you can use the 24 hour library Renewals Hotline - 020 8547 7733.
Refer to the Virtual LRC Tour on StudentSpace for further help with using the catalogue.
The majority of relevant books are located in the library at Knights Park. Art books can be found in the 700s. However, some books that you’ll need to refer to are at other numbers, e.g. visual culture is in the 300s, and you may also need to visit the libraries at other sites. Film Studies is taught at Penrhyn Road.
Borrowing from the library
Most books can be borrowed although some items that are likely to be in high demand are for reference use only. These items have yellow spine labels and will be clearly marked in the front of the book. Other books have white spine labels and may be 4 week or 7 day loan (indicated by a red 7 day sticker). You can borrow up to 12 items at a time. Overdue items are fined at 25p per day. If items are not returned or fines are not paid within 30 days your borrowing rights may be suspended. Check your email account regularly for reminder emails.
Journals and newspapers are for reference use only. Videos, DVDs and CDs may be borrowed for 7 days. Slides are issued for 2 weeks. A separate leaflet provides details about equipment loans.
Renewals: Items may be renewed up to 15 times unless they have been reserved by another borrower. You can renew using the catalogue in the library, online or by phone. (See previous section on using the catalogue).
Desk loan: Sometimes your tutors will put items in to Desk loan. These should be requested from the Helpdesk and can only be used in the LRC. Please use the catalogue to find the shelfmark as staff at the Helpdesk will need this to find the item for you.
IMPORTANT: Your University ID card is also your library card. You will not be able to borrow any items without a valid ID card. IMPORTANT: Reminders about overdue, underdue and reserved items will be sent to your Kingston University email address so please check this regularly.
The Library on StudentSpace Information about the library can be found on StudentSpace by selecting Library
This area acts as a gateway to information about all library services and provides direct access to the virtual services available.
Login using your username and
password at http://go.kingston.ac.uk
Find out about using the library, opening hours and contact details
Access the catalogue
Find information about your subject, contact details for your subject librarian, links to useful websites and other libraries
Access e-resources (databases and e-journals)
Take the Virtual LRC Tour
Choosing and using databases
Expand you search for information beyond just books. Search a range of electronic databases for:
references to journal articles by using ARTBibliographies Modern and Design and Applied Arts Index
full text articles using Art Full Text and JSTOR
still images using ARTStor and Bridgeman Education
moving images using Arts on film, Film and Sound Online and Screenonline
Library e-resources are accessible from StudentSpace. Click on E-resources in the Library tools box then Subject List and choose Art and Design History for a list of E-resources for Arts and Humanities.
Click on More info to see what each
database covers. An A-Z list of all available databases is also available. It’s worth looking under the subject headings Reference & Research and Newspapers & media too.
Finding journals Using the databases you can find references to journal articles. The library has print copies of some of the journals indexed.
We also have a number of e-journal
subscriptions that you can access both on and off campus.
Print journals: Use the library catalogue to check holdings by selecting Journals from the drop down Collections menu. Journals are shelved alphabetically in the journals section of the library. Current issues are displayed separately.
E-journals: Select E-Resources from the Library pages of StudentSpace and then click on A-Z list of full text e-journals. For information on how to use the e-journals click on Using the A-Z list of Full Text Electronic Journals in the top right hand corner of the screen.
Other libraries You may find that you need to refer to titles that are not kept at Knights Park. Often the other site libraries will have the items you require but if not there are other places that you can try.
http://www.vam.ac.uk/nal/ The National Art Library at the Victoria and Albert Museum is a major public reference library with a great range of material on the fine and decorative arts. It is accessible to the public as a reference library but visitors must register as a reader. See the website for further details.
http://www.bl.uk The national library of the United Kingdom, the British Library, holds a large collection of reference material and databases and welcomes all students to its reading rooms. Apply for a Reader Pass and make sure you have 2 forms of identification as proof of your identity and address. Go to their website for further details.
http://www.access.sconul.ac.uk/ SCONUL access is a co-operative venture between most of the UK's higher education libraries. It makes it easier for students and staff to use libraries that are nearer to home or work.
Ask in the library and we will issue you with a reference card that will enable you to access the libraries of other participating universities. A list of these can be found on the SCONUL access website and you can link to library catalogues from this list to check holdings.
Part-time students can also apply for borrowing rights at up to 3 libraries. Further details can be found on StudentSpace or ask in the library.
Help
If you have any questions about library resources for Art & Design History please contact your subject librarian (see details below) or ask at the Helpdesk in the LRC.
Your subject librarian is Rachel Pownall  r.pownall@kingston.ac.uk  020 8417 4499