ARCHITECTURE LIBRARY

1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Architecture library was established by the donation of a collection of books from Professor C. R. Knight, the first Professor of Architecture, in 1927. Since then the collection has expanded to its current state of 43,971 monographs and 307 journal titles. Since 1950 the library has been staffed by professional librarians, and at present has a staff of 6.5 equivalent full-time persons.

Having occupied a variety of "temporary" premises on campus the library moved into purpose designed accommodation in the summer of 1981/82.

2. DESCRIPTION OF COLLECTION

Although known as the Architecture library, the collection reflects the information requirement of the School of Architecture and Planning.

The Architecture material covers the following aspects: history, practice and theory, design and construction of buildings, development of the profession and architectural education, the built environment, new technologies, works by and about architects.

The Planning collection represents all facets of the built and unbuilt environment, history, legislation and alternative technologies.

Both subject areas have materials in various forms: monographs (including the Folio Collection and the Historical Collection), serials, audio and video-cassettes, theses, conservation reports, maps, slides and measured drawings. Along with these are special collections, namely the Sheppard Collection (biographical information, press cuttings and photographs relating to individual architects) and the Buildings Register. The architectural drawings (originals and copies) have been placed in the Architecture Archive.

3. USERS

The library serves the information resource requirements of the students and staff of the School of Architecture and Planning. Extensive use is also made of the collection by students and staff from Art History, Geography, Engineering and Law.

University graduates may apply to purchase Associate Membership on an annual basis.

The monograph and serials collections are available to the general public on a reference-only basis.

Reference enquiries, in written and electronic form, are handled from around New Zealand and internationally.

4. SELECTION CRITERIA

The Librarian has the ultimate decision on the purchase of all library materials. Decisions are based on the following criteria:

1. Relevance to current courses taught.

2. Relevance to enhancing existing strengths within the collection, as a basis for present and future research.

3. Relevance to eliminating weakness within the collection.

4. Availability of funds.

5. Establishment of new courses.

Recommendations are received from teaching staff of the School of Architecture, Property and Planning, and senior members of the library staff.

Materials are selected from electronic acquisition aids and alerts, publishers catalogues, out-of-print materials catalogues, reviews in journals, accessions lists from similar collections in other institutions, subject searches, national bibliographies.

Every endeavour is made by the senior library staff to ensure the latest updates and new editions of reference works and essential texts are available.

Duplicate copies of materials are made available according to student numbers; (usually for courses where the enrollment is 100+), and availability of funds.

A concerted effort is made to obtain all New Zealand publications relevant to the disciplines of Architecture and Planning.

Archival material and architectural drawings are sought from architects who have practised in the greater Auckland region.

5. PRESERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

The Architecture Library has an active programme of preservation maintenance. Circulating stock is regularly inspected for damage, which is then rectified, either by appropriate archival mending or rebinding if appropriate. An annual shelf clean and dusting of stock is undertaken over summer to assist in the longevity of the existing collection.

The following collections are considered priority with regard to disaster management:

1. Desk Copy Collection.

2. Monographs and serials.

3. Drawings.

4. Archives.

5. Folios.

Should a disaster eventuate and the collection is preserved in the above order of priority, the collection would still be able to function and fulfil basic user requirements.

Wendy S. Garvey
Architecture Librarian
July 2008