The Visual Resources Library supports the teaching of art history at the University of St. Thomas. Course needs and faculty research drive the collection focus.

The library only collects digital images. When possible images are purchased from an image distributor. Images are also scanned from printed materials, following copyright restrictions on use and quantity. Faculty members and individuals may donate personal images to the collection when the images support the teaching needs of the department and are accompanied by complete documentation.

Faculty teaching needs define image collection needs, therefore faculty members select images for inclusion in the collection. The visual resources curator catalogs and uploads the images after verifying that the same or very similar images are not already stored in the image database.

The Library will consider outside donations of images if:

All donations become the property of UST.

If a donor requires an appraisal for the donationk they must have one made by an outside appraiser. The visual resources curator or other staff members are not responsible for appraising the monetary value of any donation.

The library retains the right to refuse any donation based on condition, content outside of collection focus, or for any other reason.

The library continually reviews its collection holdings. Images may be withdrawn from the collection when they: no longer support the teaching needs of the department, when the image quality is poor, or if the inclusion of an image breaks copyright.

Download a PDF of this policy here.