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Art & Art History

Oxy OneSearch

Oxy's library catalog is called OneSearch. OneSearch searches not only the books that we have in the library, but also searches more generally. Depending on the filters you use, OneSearch will also show you articles from databases that Oxy subscribes to and to books that we don't own. Make sure you are logged into your library account to get the most out of OneSearch.  If you need more help with OneSearch, then take a look at the OneSearch Guide or ask a librarian! 

Search with Subject Headings

Keyword searches often retrieve too many results, including materials that are irrelevant to your topic. Meanwhile, Title searches can be too narrow and leave you with no results. The answer is an approach that figures somewhere in the middle: Subject Headings. Subject headings are terms (topics, proper names, geographic regions, etc.) that indicate the scope of a book or other resource. 

Try it yourself: you can copy and paste these example headings right into a catalog search for Subjects.

Aesthetics, Modern
Anatomy, Artistic
Architecture Mexico History
Drawing, Renaissance Exhibitions
Gropius, Walter, 1883-1969
Judgment Day in art
Photography History 20th Century
Technology and the arts

Wander the Bookshelves

The Occidental College Library uses the Library of Congress (LC) classification system to organize physical books by call numbers in the library book tiers. The tiers are found by turning left when you enter the main floor of the library or asking the information desk for help!

Call numbers that include materials relevant to the arts include the following:

 BH 1-301  

 Aesthetics

1st floor, Old Wing

 N 1-9211

 Visual arts

Tier 2

 N 81-390

 Study and teaching (Visual arts)

Tier 2

 NA 1-9428

 Architecture

Tier 2

 NB 1-1952

 Sculpture

Tier 2

 NC 1-1940

 Drawing. Design. Illustration

Tier 2

 ND 25-3416

 Painting

Tier 2

 NE 1-3002

 Print media

Tier 2

 NX 1-820

 Arts in general

Tier 2

 TR 1-1050

 Photography

Tier 5

 TR 845-1050 

 Cinematography. Motion pictures  

Tier 5

Accessing Material We Don't Own

Many of the books, journal articles and other resources you find can be accessed through Oxy. However, if not, you will need to request them through Interlibrary Loan. If you are logged into your Oxy account, most interlibrary loans can be made via a link associated with the article/book.