Visual Resources Collection (Architecture Library)

Visual Resources Collection

The Architecture Library contains a loan collection of approximately 100,000 slides on contemporary and historical buildings, structural design, building technology, city planning, and fine arts. Over 5,000 of these images have been digitized to date and an additional 3,000 digital images are available online via the library's subscription to the Saskia Ltd. digital database. Rensselaer Libraries also subscribe to several licensed image databases such as the AMICO Library (Art Museum Image Consortium) and AccuNet/AP (Associated Press) Photo Archive.

The physical items are housed in the Slide Room of the Architecture Library. In addition to color and b&w slides there are also collections of photographs, prints, maps, drawings, and models almost exclusively on architectural topics.

• Slide Library Policies

  Circulation

  The Maximum number of slides that may be signed out to one patron at any given time is 160 (two full slide trays).

  Slide trays may be borrowed from the slide library only if the School of Architecture Office has exhausted its supply.

  Slides borrowed for in-house lectures, etc. must be returned the same day. Special arrangements must be made with the Visual Resources Librarian, Jeanne Keefe for out-of-town lectures requiring use of slides.

  To borrow slides and trays a blue card must be filled out completely with the following information: patron's name, RPI ID Number, local telephone number and a list of the accession numbers from all the slides being borrowed. Library staff at the circulation desk handles the blue cards and returned slides.

  Equipment

  Equipment such as projectors, viewers, light tables, etc. may not be removed from the library. Photo equipment such as camera, copy-stand, lenses, lamps, etc. is for use in the library by library staff only.

  Slide Reproduction

  School of Architecture faculty may submit request forms when new slides need to be produced. We will photograph new images in keeping with the collection policy with regard to curriculum support. The slide library does not produce slides for personal use; however, faculty may request extra sets (at a cost) once their slide collection request has been reviewed.

  The slide library does not accept slide requests if forms are missing or are not completed in full.

  Slide Scanning

  The Visual Resources Librarian, Jeanne Keefe, will scan slides for the faculty for use in their lectures or for use in Web-CT course work. The scanned image will be retained by the library for future use. Please allow at least two weeks for this labor intensive and time consuming process.