Architecture

1. Library Catalog - Find Books, Media and Pamphlets

PCC's online catalog is a database of books, media, pamphlets and course reserves located in the library's collection. To find resources in the library by subject, you will need a call number which is based on the Dewey Decimal Classification System and leads you to the specific item on the shelf. To find the call number, use the library catalog.

Basic Search

Use the Basic Search to look for an item using its exact subject heading, title or author's name (last, first).

To find information about a person, use Basic Search by subject.
To find information on a topic, use Basic Search by subject.

To search by subject, select 'Subject Search', then type in the subject heading.

Examples of subject headings:

  • Architecture, Domestic – Designs and plans
  • Architecture, Modern – 20th century
  • Architectural drawing

Check related subjects too:

  • Architecture - History
  • Structural engineering
  • Computer-aided design
  • Architectural photography
  • House construction

To search by title, select 'Title Search', then type in the first few words of the title. Skip the first word of the title if it is an article, e.g. 'a', 'an' or 'the'.

To search by author, select 'Author Search', then type in the author's last name, then first name, e.g. 'Moffett, Marian'.

Advanced Search

If Basic Search is unsuccessful use Advanced Search to combine topics.

  • Example: ARCHITECTURE AND PASADENA (all, keyword)

Use the Advanced Search to look for an item using part of the title or to combine topics:
To search by keyword, type in the words you want to search for then select from the menu whether you want to search for ALL THE WORDS, ANY OF THE WORDS (e.g., drawing, drafting, design), or the WORDS AS A PHRASE (e.g.,Taj Mahal).

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2. Reference Books

Basically, there are two kinds of reference books: general resources, which are broad in scope and deal with all fields; and specialized resources, which deal with specific disciplines such as architecture. The titles cited below are only a representative sample of many specialized reference books that are available in the library. Our reference titles are located on the second (main) floor of the library. 

Specialized Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

  • Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture   REF 720.3 C 2
  • Dictionary of Architecutre and Construction    REF 720.3 H 2
  • Global History of Architecture  REF 720.9 C 6
  • Seventy Wonders of the Modern World   REF 720.9 S 6
  • Encyclopedia of 20th-century Architecture   REF 724.6 E 2
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3. Databases and Indexes - Find Articles

The library subscribes to several databases which will have periodicals and reference information on architecture and related subject matter.  From the library Web site select Find Articles, Databases by Name.

  • Proquest Direct  A database of periodical articles, to find magazine, journal, trade publication, and newspaper articles.   As with the catalog, search under a variety of terms (keywords, names, etc.) Use Proquest for access to Architect, Building Design, Contract, Journal of Urban Design, The Art Bulletin, Urban Design International, etc.
  • JSTOR  A database of full text journal articles. Use the advanced search option to limit search for architecture journals.
  • Encyclopedia Britannica Online  Web based version of Encyclopedia Britannica.  Includes the complete encyclopedia, as well as Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, the Britannica Book of the Year, and an Internet directory that includes more than 130,000 links to Web sites selected, rated, and reviewed by Britannica editors.
  • Oxford Art Online Reference resource for all aspects of the visual arts from prehistory to the 1990s.
  • ArtStor  More than 300,000 digital images covering many time periods and cultures. Documents the fields of architecture, painting, sculpture, photography, decorative arts, and design.
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4. Resources on the World Wide Web

Finding reliable information on the web can be difficult.
Use the Librarians' Internet Index www.lii.org or see recommended websites below.

Great Buildings Collection
http://www.greatbuildings.com/
Coverage of architecture around the world and across time.  Documents a thousand buildings and hundreds of leading architects with photographic images and architectural drawings, integrated maps and timelines, 3D building models, commentaries, bibliographies, web links, and more.
Architecture Week
http://www.architectureweek.com/today.html
Includes news and biographical articles; photographs relating to design, culture, the environment, etc.
Yahoo Directory
http://dir.yahoo.com/Arts/Design_Arts/Architecture/
Websites arranged in categories such as architects, buildings and structures, history, magazines, countries and cultures, etc.
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last updated: 10/17/2008 by P. Johnson revision #2