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Studio Art

Library Research Portal for Studio Art

Writing About Art

Here are a few books to help guide you through the process of writing about or on art.

Understanding Call Numbers

Browsing the shelves can be a great way to explore and discover art and art-related topics.  Pius Library uses the Library of Congress (LC) call number system to organize all of our physical materials.  Most materials that focus on art are located in one specific area of the library, with a few exceptions.  Here is a guide to understanding where certain materials are classified and located in the library.

  • N 0001-N 9999 Visual Arts in General
  • NA 0001-NA 9999 Architecture
  • NB 0001-NB 9999 Sculpture
  • NC 0001-NC 9999 Graphic Arts, Drawing, Design
  • ND 0001-ND 9999 Painting
  • NE 0001-NE 9999 Printmaking, Engraving
  • NK 0001-NK 9999 Decorative/Applied Arts
  • NX 0001-NX 9999 Arts in General
  • PN 1993-PN 1999.99  Motion Pictures
  • TP 785 - TP 869 Chemical Technology: Ceramics, Glass
  • TP 890-933 Chemical Technology: Textiles
  • TR 0001-TR 9999.99 Photography
  • TS 1-2301 Manufactures (Design, non-graphic design)
  • TT 0001-TT 9999.99 Handicrafts, Arts & Crafts
  • Z 5931-Z 5941 Subject Bibliography: Fine Arts

Call numbers that start with N are located on Level 4, on the west side of the building.  Call numbers that start with PN are located on the north side of the building.  Call numbers that start with T are located on level 5, on the east side.

Please note that some materials we have in the library that focus on art are too large to fit on a normal book shelf.  These materials are placed in our Oversized section which is located on Level 5 on the East side.  If you see a location of Pius Oversize in the library catalog or SLUth, this is where those materials will be located.