Reading Buildings: An Introduction to Architecture
Course number: UGS 302
Finding books:
Use the Library Catalog:
- start with keywords
- once you find a good title, check the subject headings
- you can save and/or email titles by using the Save to Clipboard button
- search tips – truncation (*), phrases (" "), for more tips see: Advanced Search
- for example:
- using the truncated keyword stadi*, you will find books that contain words starting with stadi such as:
- stadium
- stadiums
- stadia
- stadion
- once you find some relevant titles, you will see the following subject headings:
- using the truncated keyword stadi*, you will find books that contain words starting with stadi such as:
- find alternate names and spellings for your building, including the official name - for example:
- The UT Stadium is officially called Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
- The UT Stadium is officially called Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
Remember: If you can’t find an entire book on your building, try searching the following:
- architect(s)
- building type
- location and/or time period
- for example:
- to find information about the UT Stadium, try finding books on UT campus and builings using keywords such as:
- "University of Texas at Austin" (campus or buildings)
- to find information about the UT Stadium, try finding books on UT campus and builings using keywords such as:
Then consult the index and or table of contents to determine whether your building is featured.
Finding articles:
Find Articles using Databases
- Choose the right database for your subject
- Click on: Find It @ UT to determine article availability (online, in print, or Interlibrary Loan).
Top Indexes and Databases
- Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals
Indexes more than 2,000 periodicals published worldwide on architecture and design, archaeology, city planning, interior design, and historic preservation. - Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL)
A database of encyclopedias, almanacs, and specialized reference sources. - Oxford Art Online
Coverage includes architecture from prehistory to the present. Entries include lists of recommended readings, and links to images and related web sites.
Find articles from a citation
When you have a citation for a specific article you will need to search for the title of the journal or magazine, the source. Once you find the journal, look for the year, volume and page number in the citation to locate the article.
- e-journals: from the Research Tools drop down menu choose Find a Journal
- print journals: from the Library Catalog choose Journal Title
- current issues are kept in the reading room in alphabetical order
- you can see the call number next to the title label
- back issues are shelved at the upper stacks level (level 6) by call number
- current issues are kept in the reading room in alphabetical order
Finding images:
- ARTstor Comprised of over a million digital images of visual material encompassing artistic and historical traditions across many time periods and cultures, including architectural drawings. The concistent high quality of the images and information accompanying them makes these a preferred source for images.
- For more on images, visit the School of Architecture Visual Resource Collection
Other useful guides:
- Intro to Greek and Roman Archaeology A research guide from the Classics Library.
- National Register of Historic Places / Historic Sites Documentation Includes links to newspaper databases and other local and state resources particularly relevant for buildings located in Texas.
- News and Newspapers Includes sections on Texas, U.S. Local and World news with links to current news as well as retrospective collections and newspaper archives.
- UT Buildings and Campus Includes books focusing on UT campus architecture and history.
Suggested Writing Aids
- Barnet, Sylvan. A Short Guide to Writing about Art. N 7476 B37 2003
- Sayre, Henry M. Writing About Art. N 7476 S29 1995 Architecture Library Reference
- Research and Documentation Online. An easy to use guide to citation styles, including APA, MLA, Chicago and CSE
