Minding the gaps : provision of access to exhibition catalogues in New Zealand art libraries

Abstract

Collections of exhibition catalogues make up a significant part of art library collections as unique sources of information about contemporary art. Their usefulness to researchers is continuous and increases over time, as they become historical documents. From previous research overseas, there are well-documented problems for libraries surrounding the acquisition, cataloguing and the provision of access to exhibition catalogues. Ten New Zealand art librarians were surveyed in regard to these processes to gain an understanding if they experience similar problems. Almost 59% of the sample returned the questionnaire. Many of the respondents are aware of the problems of acquisition and cataloguing and use effective solutions. Limited access and processing backlogs of exhibition catalogues are considered to be a major barrier to art historical research. All of the libraries had automated library systems but in providing access to small or ephemeral exhibition catalogues it was found that collection level; in-house manual systems are predominantly used. Processing backlogs in various amounts were found to be present in over half of the libraries surveyed. When 136 one-person exhibition catalogues representing 20 artists were search in six of the libraries catalogues, it was found that the art libraries had little overlap in the sort of exhibition catalogues they collected.