How to Research A Building
S T E P . O N E : FINDING BOOKS
To find books on a building, look up the name of the building in HOMER (the USC catalog, at http://library.usc.edu):
- E x a m p l e - teatro olimpico
If your query retrieves zero results, the building may not be the subject of an entire book. In this case, try using broader subject categories related to your topic:
- E x a m p l e s - vicenza architecture; new york churches; united states apartment houses
Do you know the name of the architect or the architectural firm?
- E x a m p l e - andrea palladio
Is the building known by more than one name?
- E x a m p l e - beaubourg; centre pompidou
S T E P . T W O : FINDING ARTICLES
To find articles, look in an index (which usually provides a citation to articles in journals) or in an electronic database (which may include full-text, as well as citations). If you find a citation to an article, check HOMER by the title of the journal or magazine to see if USC libraries have it.
Useful Indexes and Databases:
- Architectural Periodicals Index, 1972-. Print index, AFA Reference call number Z5941.A7
- Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals, 1932-. Print index, AFA Reference call number Z5945.C653. From 1977-, Avery Index is available electronically through http://www.usc.edu/isd/elecresources
- Burnham Index to Architectural Literature, 1919-1960. Print index, AFA Reference call number Z5944.U5B87 1989
- Art Index, 1929-. Print index, AFA reference. From 1984-, Art Index is available electronically through http://www.usc.edu/isd/elecresources
- Bibliography of the History of Art (BHA), 1973-. Available electronically through http://www.usc.edu/isd/elecresources, as well as in print. For earlier editions, check the Repertoire d'Art et d'Archeologie, 1910-1989, in print at the AFA reference section.
S T E P . T H R E E : FINDING ARCHITECTS' BIOGRAPHIES
Useful biographical resources:
- Macmillan Encyclopedia of Architects, AFA reference call number NA40.M25 1982, 4 volumes.
- Contemporary Architects, AFA reference call number NA40.C76 1987.
- Dictionary of Art, AFA reference call number N31.D5 1996, 34 volumes. Also available electronically through http://www.usc.edu/isd/elecresources.
- Biography Index, available electronically through http://www.usc.edu/isd/elecresources
S T E P . F O U R : FINDING NEWS ARTICLES
Lexis/Nexis, Proquest, Newsbank, and Expanded Academic Index, all of which are available through http://www.usc.edu/isd/elecresources, are good resources to locate news articles going back to the 1980s. Most of these database provide full-text. For older articles, consult the paper indexes, which are in the Doheny Reference Reading Room.
A D D I T I O N A L . R E S O U R C E S
- Regional History Center at USC has photographs of early Los Angeles. Call (213) 743-2117 to make an appointment.
- The Slide library contains architectural slides and the Julius Shulman Photograph Archive. Call (213) 740-6600.
Talk to an AFA reference librarian to identify other resources at USC or elsewhere. Call (213) 740-1956 or e-mail Ruth Wallach
RW, 10/99
Back to resources at the Architecture and Fine Arts Library