Student use of the Collection

Undergraduate and graduate art history students may check out slides from the library after meeting with the curator, Lori Shimer, for a brief orientation. Advanced selection is encouraged and the selected slides, along with a check-out form, should be left in the hold bin until the day before the presentation. Lavender tags are used to replace each removed slide. This tag must contain the name and telephone number of the student borrowing the slide. A photocopy of the removed slides must be attached to the check-out form. Slides must be returned as soon as possible after the presentation.

If the collection does not possess im ages a student would like to use, new slides may be requested. Requests will be considered on an individual basis and approval of slide requests will be at the discretion of the curator. Requests for slides that are deemed unsuitable for the general growth of the collection may be denied. Pursuant to federal copyright guidelines, an attempt will be made to purchase slides from a commercial vendor. If the image cannot be purchased from a commercial vendor for a reasonable cost and within a reasonable amount of time, copy photography will be considered. All slides become property of the Art History Department and are subject to copyright restrictions.

Art History graduate students may use the department's copystand to shoot their own slides. These slides remain the property of the student. Contact Lori Shimer for more information.

Slide carousels are available for loan and may be reserved for specific dates and times. They may be picked up on the same day that slides are picked up and must be returned immediately after the presentation.

FINES There is a $5.00 fine for each damaged or lost slide and a $15.00 fine for each damaged or lost carousel.

COPYRIGHT Materials borrowed from the VRL are to be used for educational purposes only. The borrower assumes liability for any infringement of copyright laws. Further information about the use of copyrighted materials for University of St. Thomas purposes may be found at the UST Copyright Web page.

QUESTIONS? Contact the VRL curator, Lori Shimer.

Download a PowerPoint Manual for Mac - Learn "How to Create an Art History PowerPoint Presentation" (You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this manual).  To download the Reader click on this icon:

Working in the Visual Resources Library

The library is staffed with two undergraduate Art History students each year. Duties include: identifying slides, checking in slides, organizing new slides, mounting and labelling new slides, assisting patrons with use of the collection, conducting research for collection growth, copystand photography, and tutoring students in art history when deemed appropriate.

Required skills and qualifications are: a major or minor in art history or substantial coursework in art history, a high level of attention to detail and the ability to follow complex organizational systems, database familiarity, ability to work independently, service orientation, previous library experience preferred, copy photography or knowledge of 35mm camera operation desirable.

Levels of work are Slide Assistant I (up to 1 year of service in the Art History Dept), Slide Assistant II (1-2 years of service in the Art History Dept), Slide Assistant III (2-3 years of service in the Art History Dept). Please contact your Art History professor or the VR curator for more information.