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UF Architecture & Fine Arts Library: A Profile |
The Architecture and Fine Arts (AFA)Library, located in Fine Arts Building A, opened in 1965 with holdings of about 20,000 volumes. FAA Building, designed by the firm Kemp, Bunch, and Jackson, also bears the name Weaver Hall in honor of Rudolph Weaver, architect of the Board of Regents and long-time advocate for the creation of the library. Shaped under the influence of Dean Turpin Bannister, a founder of the Society of Architectural Historians, AFA Library's substantive core collection included unique items ranging from 16th century imprints to a rare portfolio of Frank Lloyd Wright drawings. Today, with over 125,000 volumes and an array of other formats, AFA is one of the largest visual arts collections in the Southeast.
The collections of AFA Library primarily support academic programs associated with the School of Architecture, departments of Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, and Urban and Regional Planning, the School of Art and Art History, and the M.E. Rinker School of Building Construction. In addition to bound volumes, the library houses over 1,400 architectural drawings and photographs; 20,000 microform units; and 6,000 art post cards. The library also houses over 1,000 historic preservation documents created by the UF School of Architecture and several hundred student projects each from landscape and construction disciplines. AFA's specialized video collection consists of over 1500 cataloged titles plus about 500 uncataloged tapes of visiting speakers or class lectures. AFA's periodical collection includes about 2,700 titles with approximately 450 current subscriptions.
In 1998-2000, AFA and Special Collections staff transferred to Smathers Library many of the 2,800 rare books housed at the Architecture and Fine Arts Library. These resources complement other arts resources housed in Smathers collected with the involvement of AFA staff over the years. Recently, Special Collections received the extensive archives of EDSA (Edward Durrell Stone, Jr., Associates), of Fort Lauderdale, one of the largest landscape architecture firms in the U.S. This collection documents hundreds of landscape projects in a variety of formats including original drawings and approximately 400,000 slides.
AFA functions through the skilled work of two librarians, three technical assistants, and several student employees involved in a variety of public service, collection management, and technical service activities. Ann Lindell, Head Librarian, manages administrative and public service functions and serves as subject specialist for architecture, building construction, ceramics, interior design, landscape architecture, and urban & regional planning. Thomas Caswell, Assistant AFA Librarian, oversees the libraries systems and technical services , and serves as subject specialist for art, art history, museum studies, and historic preservation. Tisha Mauney manages circulation and reserves operations, and serves as our systems specialist.. Dan Salvano coordinates evening public services and technical processing related monographs and multimedia. John Seay manages serials, interlibrary loan, and preservation activities.
Like many units, AFA Library staff have employed the Web to interpret and extend collections and to enhance ibrary operations. The AFA website is a locus for substantive information about the library and arts resources. Accessible via the site are subject pages which provide numerous links to external web sites as well as listings of important library reference books and periodicals. The AFA web site's Publications page links to several in-house guides to collections of videos, drawings, projects, and reference tools. Linked also are original websites, Art on Campus at the University of Florida and UF Builds: The Architecture of the University of Florida .
AFA's 'primary' clientele consists of over 100 faculty and about 2,000 majors associated with UF's Colleges of Fine arts and Design, Construction & Planning. However, the library's specialization and size also make it an important university, state, and regional resource. In addition to its resources, the library's unique space continually impresses visitors. The library's hallmark double-decker carrels, which dominate the wood-paneled reading room with its 20-foot high ceiling, have become a minor tourist attraction. During busy periods the Reading Room is enlivened with the activities of dozens of individuals inspired to enrich the world with their creative efforts.
