See the Main Library Access Policy Page.
Thomas Hill, the Art Librarian, is generally available between 8:30 and 5:00 p.m. weekdays in the Art Library for walk-up assistance with art resources. He is also available for in-depth research consultations, which are best made by appointment. He can be reached at x5791, or at thhill@vassar.edu.
Q: Who may borrow materials?
A: You must have a valid, barcoded Vassar ID card to check out library materials and access the buildings after 5:30 M-F and all day on weekends. Limits on the number of items that can be borrowed and loan periods vary by type of material and type of borrower. Vassar community, faculty research assistants, alumae and summer program participants get cards at the Card Office. The library's circulation office issues cards for guest borrowers and cross-registered students. All cards must be validated at the Circulation Desk to receive borrowing privileges.
Q: What may circulate?
A: Whether and how long an item may circulate is tabulated on a formula based on the kind of material presented (monograph, periodical, etc.) and the type of borrower (student, faculty, staff, special borrower, etc.). In general, bound and current periodicals, reference books, and books in classed-together series do not circulate to students and special borrowers. Main Library books may be circulated from the Art Library, and Art Library books may be circulated from the Main Library, except for books on reserve.
Q: How long may items circulate?
Q. How much are Art Library Overdue Fines, and Replacement Fees:
Art Library fines for overdue material follow the guidelines issued by the Main Library.
Books and other materials are placed on reserve to insure that all students taking a course have equal access to items essential to that course. The Reserve List for a given course can be accessed through the Menu Option "R" on the main screen of the library catalog.
Types of Art Library Reserve
CLOSED RESERVE: Books, DVDs, laptop computers, and other materials on desk reserve for all courses are are circulated from the Reserve/Technology Desk in the Main Library.
BROWSING RESERVE: Each Art Department course has a designated shelf or table in the Art Library where books and other materials are gathered for student perusal. Books on Art Library browsing reserve are marked "Art Reserve" in the location area of the call number in the library catalog. Books on Browsing Reserve may be circulated out of the library. A map of Browsing Reserve shelf and table locations by course is posted near the photocopy machine in the Art Library main level.
ELECTRONIC RESERVE: Articles, websites, and certain other materials are available in digital form through the Library's electronic reserve system, accessible by course through class Moodle sites.
Interlibrary loan materials may be requested via Connect New York or submitting an ILL request online via ILLiad. For more information, see ILL F.A.Q., or the Main Library ILL site.
Lockers located in the hallway into the Main Library from Stack II may be signed out to Art majors writing senior theses. Carrels in Stacks II and III may also be assigned to Art thesis students.
Art-related videos in various formats, including artists' videos, are presently housed in the Main Library Reserve Room, where they may be circulated for a three-day period. Videos may be searched in the online catalogue under the video tab.
The renovated Art Library study rooms feature large electronic wall displays for group study of art materials. These screens may be accessed directly and by laptop. Laptops, VGA Cables and Converter jacks may also be signed out at the Art Library Circulation Desk.
Art Library tables contain network and power outlets. The Art Library is also set up for wireless access. Subscription databases and e-reserves are available to the Vassar community from off campus through the proxy server. Log in using your Vassar email name and password. If you have trouble accessing this link from off-campus, email proxysupport@vassar.edu.
All requests for new materials for the Art Library should be made in writing to the Art Librarian. This may be done via email to thhill@vassar.edu. Students writing papers are encouraged to submit requests for material specific to their research early in the term.
Books and periodicals from the Art Library collections that are marked "Available" in the library catalog but which are not in their proper places on the shelf will be searched upon request. Search Forms are available at the Art Library circulation desk as well as online for this purpose. Searches are conducted each week-day, generally in the afternoon. Books that have been found are held at the Art Library circulation desk, and the patron notified of this by mail.
See the Main Library Gift Site.
