Wednesday, June 20, 2018
I recently learned about a resource that may help your patrons find obscure historical material. It is the Archives of American Art, part of the Smithsonian Institution. The Archives provide access to their collection via interlibrary loan.
This collection has primary sources that relate to the visual arts – diaries, letters, photos, films, A/V recordings, scrapbooks, etc. These items will not appear in WorldCat, so if your patron is looking for a rare item (usually on microfilm) to do with art or artists, this is a good resource to explore.
All requests are subject to the following conditions:
- Requests must be submitted by a librarian, who has registered for an account at https://aeon.aaa.si.edu.
- Materials are for in-library use only.
- Microfilm requests are limited to eight reels per patron.
- Each distinct collection or interview requires a separate form.
- Access Restricted materials are not eligible for interlibrary loan.
- Microfilm and transcripts are sent via U.S. Postal Service and are due back to the Archives' one month from the shipping date. International requests are due back six weeks from the shipping date.
- A two week renewal may be granted if the Archives receives your renewal request before the due date. To request renewal, please send an email to aaaemref@si.edu with the subject line "ILL Renewal."
- There is no charge for this service.
- Copyright laws apply to all requests.
RL&LL has created an account and is now set up to borrow from the Archives. If you are a WISCAT library, please use the blank request form and indicate in the borrower’s notes that you are looking for something at the Archives of American Art. Please add any applicable bibliographic information. We will take it from there!
Written by: Christine Barth, Resources for Libraries & Lifelong Learning