Getting Started
Formulate your questions: are you interested in background information (culture, history, technique), scholarly discussion of a topic, information about materials, technical guidance? Where do you think this information might be published -- books, journals, magazines, newspapers?
If you are having any trouble finding what you need, please get in touch with us.
Where to Search
Background information (encyclopedias, dictionaries, etc.):
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Oxford Art OnlineIncludes Grove Art Online, Benezit Dictionary of Artists, the Oxford Companion to Western Art, the Encyclopedia of Aesthetics, and the Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms.
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Credo ReferenceFull-text reference books covering a broad scope of subject areas.
Books:
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RISD/Athenaeum CatalogSearch for books, DVDS, music, ebooks in RISD Library and Providence Athenaeum collections.
Articles (scholarly and trade journals):
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Fleet SEARCHCombined search tool (many of our article databases + the RISD/Athenaeum Catalog)
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Art and Architecture SourceArticles on fine, decorative and commercial art, architecture and design including HW Wilson’s Art databases.
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ARTbibliographies Modern (ABM)Articles from international journals; books, essays; exhibition catalogs; PhD dissertations; and exhibition reviews on all forms of modern and contemporary art, 1974 to present.
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Design and Applied Arts Index (DAAI)Articles, news items, and reviews published in design and applied arts journals from 1973 to present.
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JSTORAn archive of scholarly articles in PDF form. JSTOR is not a current article database, typically from 1 to 5 years behind most recently published journals. RISD Library normally subscribes to the following collections: Arts & Sciences I, II, III, V, VII, VIII, and XI. For the 2019/20 academic year, we have trial access to the full JSTOR suite, including the new Sustainability package.
Images:
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ARTstor2.5 million digital images covering all periods of art, architecture, and archeology including contemporary art & design. Free registration required for downloads.
Materials information:
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Material ConnexionOver 7,000 materials and processes covering the fields of architecture, industrial design, interior design, and textiles. Comprehensive product information, technical specifications, application information, manufacturer profiles, and material images. Register here to establish a personal login account.
Films:
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Kanopy Streaming Video CollectionProvides access to over 6,000 educational documentaries arranged by collection. Subjects include arts, business, health, media, sciences, humanities and education. (Kanopy is a mediated database, meaning titles must be requested for purchase.)
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RISD/Athenaeum CatalogSearch for books, DVDS, music, ebooks in RISD Library and Providence Athenaeum collections.
Browsing Guide
Where to look in the stacks for BOOKS
You'll find books about ceramics in these call number ranges. See the 1st floor map.
NK 3700 - 4695 (Ceramics)
TP 785 - 869 (Technical info.)
TT 916 - 924 (Ceramics techniques)
Where to look in the stacks for JOURNALS + MAGAZINES
Current titles are on the Mezzanine. Earlier years through 1980 are shelved alphabetically on the first floor (see map). Issues from 1979 and earlier are either in Special Collections or storage. Check the catalog for specific holdings and locations.
Currently received titles:
Ceramic industry, Ceramic review, Ceramics, art and perception, Ceramics in America, Ceramics monthly, Ceramics technical, Clay times, Form, Studio potter
Older, limited run titles:
American ceramic circle journal, American ceramics, Bienal de ceramica utilitaria, Cahiers de la ceramique, du verre, et des arts du feu, Clay in art international, Far Eastern ceramic bulletin, Keramic studio, NCECA journal, Old china, Pottery quarterly, Transactions, Old Wedgwood
Research Help
Guided Research: meeting with a RISD Art Librarian
Librarians are available to help students research a topic. Make an appointment at the Research Help Desk or by emailing a librarian directly. We're available to meet with individuals or groups. This meeting will help you clarify your ideas, provide ways to approach your topic, and identify key terms, print and online resources, and search strategies to help get you started and save time.
A meeting with a librarian usually lasts 15-30 minutes depending on the scope of the topic. You are always welcome to make follow-up appointments.