Landscape architecture
Statement of programs and library needs
Library acquisitions in landscape architecture reflect the present and future needs of.
- Students and faculty in the Landscape Program (College of Architecture and Urban Studies). The program offers the Bachelor's and Master's degree in Landscape Architecture, and is accredited by the American Society of Landscape Architects. The curriculum focuses on landscape design and planning, conservation, and ecosystems. Course study encompasses issues of roads, parking areas, buildings, walkways, land forms, recreation, and vegetation in the creation of parks, plazas, housing developments, and downtown areas. The discipline is taught through comprehensive design studios, traditional courses and seminars, and work experience.
- Other students and faculty in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies. Courses in site planning, urban nature, design theory and philosophy, landscape history are of interest to the design and planning programs in the college. In addition, students and faculty in agriculture (water resources, conservation, horticulture, wildlife, and forestry programs) use landscape architecture materials.
Staff and students in the Community Design Assistance Center. The center provides public service and outreach in order to use and complement research and teaching oriented programs in the college. It takes the research done in more formal settings into the community with its assistance to communities on their projects; for example, the restoration of an old movie theatre or the planning of parking facilities. The center needs materials in urban and regional planning, preservation, barrier free design, environmental issues and landscape design.
This diverse program sends students and researchers to ecology, human behavior, engineering, and sciences--horticulture, for example. Materials in all areas of art and architecture are used: for example, public sculpture and domestic and public architecture are a part of landscape planning. Agriculture is relevant and landscape architecture students search both humanities and science bibliographies and indexes (Geobase, Environline). Landscape architecture students take courses in crop and soil environmental sciences. As in all College of Architecture and Urban Studies programs, ADA information is timely.
I. Collection areas
A. Area: Landscape Architecture
B. Classes and Levels
NA Architecture Research SB Landscape Architecture Research
C. Chronology
Emphasis is on currently published materials dealing with contemporary issues and events, although the historic perspective is vital in dealing with urban and regional land use, history of outdoor spaces (gardens, parks), and the history and theory of design from ancient to modern times.
D. Geographic Guidelines
Materials published in the United States and Britain form the collection; however, publishing from international source, for example, Italy, informs the discipline, Scandinavian countries and Japan are sources of materials on landscape.
E. Languages
English is the main language of the collection, but European and Eastern publishers and languages are not automatically excluded. Quality of reproduction, quality and quantity of plans and diagrams, subject of research, its relevance and its availability in translation are factors which influence acquisition. These factors are often as important as language of the text.
F. Treatment
The collection is supported by monographs and periodicals as broad in type of treatment as in diversity of subject matter. Scholarly and theoretical works (often from university presses and specialized presses like Princeton Architectural Press) are acquired but not at the expense of monographs with technical or practical approach or pictorial works illustrating design (excluding "coffee table" books). The subject of wetlands, for example, is treated from design, ecological, historical, theoretical and technical or practical points of view and the collection will reflect the diversity. Government publications, conferences, and professional association publications (ASLA) are important. The collection includes major periodicals indexed in important bibliographies as well as selected contemporary publications. Reference materials include dictionaries, handbooks, cost and estimating materials, codes, legal and environmental information current biographical and firm information.
G. Formats
Primarily print for monographs and most journals, though electronic full-text is also of growing importance for journals. Bibliographic databases are available through the internet that include statistical and cost information, specifications and directories. Videos and disks are purchased from faculty requests. The slide collection should receive attention and an effort be made to improve landscape architecture holdings.
II. Acquisition Strategy
Materials are selected for purchase by the Art and Architecture Librarian. Faculty are encouraged to suggest materials and review the collection. Students are encouraged to suggest titles as well. Criteria for purchase include relevance to curriculum, demand, need, availability, price, reputation of author and publisher, and quality of illustration. Starting in 1982, most university press books come on blanket order, but major trade publishers need to be watched for landscape materials. The periodical collection is reviewed annually for additions and cancellations.
Journals regularly routed to librarian include Landscape Journal.
III. Collection Notes
Popular treatments, text-books, dissertations from other schools, "coffee-table" and "how-to" books are generally not collected. Horticulture is collected by the agriculture bibliographer.
Revised 11/2000
