Using Reference Sources

Fleet Library @ RISD

Why Use Reference Sources?

Reference Sources

• provide an overview of a subject at the beginning of the research process

• identify the main artists & designers associated with a movement or style

• place your topic in its larger cultural context

• supply definitions, specialized terminology, synonyms & keywords

• provide biographical information on artists

• include references to artist’s writings, bibliographies, & exhibition information

Reference Books

Investigate your topic by using Reference resources

RISD Online Reference

Ask a Librarian

RISD Library Reference blog

Oxford Art Online

Getty Vocabularies

Worldcat.org

Oxford English Dictionary

Library Research Guides

Credo

Search RISD Reference Online

• start at RISD Library’s website: library.risd.edu• go to Resources > Reference

Search RISD Reference Online

• read the descriptions of each database• ask a librarian or your instructor for database recommendations• search multiple databases• keep notes on your search terms, strategies and results

Search Online Reference - 24/7 from Off Campus

• start at library.risd.edu > Reference• select the link to a database to search• a login window will open• type in your first or last name• type in the 14-digit Barcode number on the BACK of your RISD ID• the number starts with 3444400…• if your login doesn’t work, contact the Library for help, 709-5901

Ask a Librarian

A librarian can• work with you to develop search strategies for your topic• recommend print & online reference sources• help you locate items within and beyond RISD library• find bibliographies, primary sources, imagery• demonstrate how to critically evaluate resources• save you time

Reference Desk, RISD Library, 1st floor, 709-5902 risdlib@risd.edulibrary.risd.edu > Departments > Reference

RISD Library Reference Blog

• created by RISD librarians• log of questions & answers asked by students, faculty, & visitors• includes sources for assignments & projects• tags to related questions• it’s searchable

RISD Library Research Guides

• risd.libguides.com• created by RISD librarians• resource guides listed by topic, department, or course• include lists of sources and search examples

Search Oxford Art Online

• use for definitions, subject overviews, artist biographies• related articles outline concurrent movements & art forms• articles include image links & illustrations• bibliographies include artist’s writings and exhibition catalogues• completely full-text

Search Credo Reference

• full-text of over 640 Reference books - covering all subjects• scan sidebar for related topics & source formats• cites articles in 4 citation styles - APA, Chicago, Harvard, MLA• includes links out to other articles and the RISD/ATH Catalog

Request items through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

ILL - Interlibrary loan

• ILL requests take 1- 2 weeks to arrive - plan ahead• online forms > library.risd.edu > Services > Interlibrary Loan

RISD Library requests books & articles from reciprocal lending libraries via ILL

Oxford English Dictionary Online (the OED)

• definitions-meanings of the word• pronunciation-standard pronunciation of the word • spellings-includes variant forms or spelling• etymology-the derivation of a word • quotations-document the history of a term from its earliest recorded usage• date chart-timeline of the word’s published usage

Getty Research Institute Vocabularies

These authoritative, controlled vocabularies are used to catalog, define and describe concepts, terminology, people and places related to the fine arts, decorative arts, design, art history and architecture.

• AAT-Art & Architecture Thesaurus• ULAN-Union List of Artist Names• TGN-Thesaurus of Geographic Names

Getty Vocabulary - AAT

AAT- the Art & Architecture Thesaurus• use to gather keyword and synonyms for search terms • includes definitions, terms and related concepts

Getty Vocabulary - ULAN

ULAN-Union List of Artist Names• use to verify the spelling of an artist’s name• lists an artist’s nationality and birth/death dates • includes variant names, pseudonyms

Getty Vocabulary - TGN

TGN-Thesaurus of Geographic Names• associates a contemporary place name to its historic names• notes describe the history, physical location of a place, or the importance of the place relative to art & architecture • includes geographic coordinates

Search worldcat.org

• worldcat is the world's largest network of library online catalogs• search many libraries at once for an item and then locate it in a library nearby• find research articles and digital items that can be directly viewed or downloaded• searching worldcat is a good way to determine what has been published on a topic• use RISD Library’s Interlibrary Loan Service to request items not available locally

Refine your worldcat results

• use the sidebar to refine your search by author, format, publication year, or subject• Next, select an individual title to see where it’s located

Locate local worldcat items • scroll down the page and type in your zip code • this generates a geographic list of the closest libraries that owns the item• ask a librarian if you need help interpreting worldcat holdings -

we’ll be happy to help you!

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