Add Value or Shift the Focus?: A Summary of Quantitative Analysis Meets Art History by Minseo Kim

Anguiano, Jennifer

Kim, M. (2022). New Method for Museum Archiving: “Quantitative Analysis Meets Art History.” Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage, 15(4), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1145/3531018

Summary:

Kim's New Method for Museum Archiving: “Quantitative Analysis Meets Art History” explores the intersection of data-driven methodologies and traditional art historical approaches in museum archiving. The study introduces quantitative analysis as a tool to enhance the classification, preservation, and accessibility of museum collections. By integrating computational techniques, such as image processing and visualization, the research aims to improve the efficiency of archival systems while maintaining the integrity of historical narratives.

The article highlights the challenges of conventional museum archiving, emphasizing the need for structured data frameworks to support curatorial decisions. Kim argues that quantitative analysis can complement art history, offering new perspectives on collection management and historical interpretation. This approach promotes a more innovative and adaptable archival system, ensuring that museums can effectively document and analyze their collections in the digital age.

Evaluation/Opinion:

As a scholar who has only received traditional art history teachings, the idea of mixing it with data-driven methods feels exciting yet nerve-wrecking. Usually, studying art is all about interpretation, symbolism, and cultural context, as opposed to crunching numbers and running algorithms. It almost feels like the number aspect of data, would take away the human, emotional response to understanding artworks. However, if there is a new way to increase the organization and accessibility of a collection, it might be in the best interest of art historians to adapt. If museum administrators can use data tools to track artworks, spot trends or preserve items better, that could help their staff do their jobs more efficiently. The question is will it add value to traditional art history or end up shifting the focus too much towards numbers.

The Place for Artists' Books in Library Collections

Wemhoff, Ashley

An Article Review of "Acquiring Artists' Books at Art Book Fairs: Dynamic Collection Development Practices" by Joey Vincennie

Vincennie, J. (2022). Acquiring artists’ books at art book fairs: Dynamic collection development practices. Art Documentation, 45(2), 257–268. https://doi.org/10.1086/725520 

Summary:

This article discusses the practice of acquiring artists' books for library collections. During art fairs artists may sell books showcasing some of their collected works. The author of this article seeks to understand what kinds of libraries add these materials to their collections and contemplate why art fairs aren't used more for collection development. To begin they discuss briefly the history of art book fairs.

They describe art book fairs as, "venues for artists and publishers to sell their materials to the public. Materials one can generally find at an art book fair include artists’ books, zines, photobooks, artist multiples, rare books, magazines, posters, and ephemera."

While the author notes that art book fairs vary in size, they observe that these events provide a wonderful opportunity for librarians to connect with local artists, learn about artists' trades, and curate a collection of books to add to they library. 

After an examination of literature that discusses the collection of art books in libraries, the author goes on to present their findings from an online survey they collected from academic and special library respondents. From the results they found that 89.3% used art fairs as a place to build their art book collections, 57.1% used a virtual art book fair for collection development, and 75% had collections policies in place for the acquisition of art books specifically.

Evaluation 

The author of this article acknowledges that they would have liked to get responses from school and public librarians in their survey results, but they simply didn't get any feedback. There certainly could be some merit for these two library types to utilize art fairs as a collections development tool, but I have a feeling that it is mostly academic libraries and art libraries the utilize this resource. 

A brief discussion on how virtual art fairs are becoming more commons since the COVID-19 pandemic show that art fairs are becoming more accessible for rural librarians or for those who have limited budgets. Before reading this article I had not considered using art fairs to find materials for a library collection. I appreciated this author's nuanced discussion on how art is often subjective and librarians need to consider the community when acquiring art for a library collection.

If you are looking for an example of what art books visually look like, check out https://www.artbook.com/, one of the leading sellers for art books globally.

Public Library Nonfiction Collection Development

Tracy, Anna

INFO 266, Fall 2016

This article covers a pilot study of 8 Australian public libraries to test subject based collection analysis. Collection development as an art or a scientific method? Not going to lie, this was a rough article to read, primarily filled with data results and overly complicated language. However, the resulting methodology is an example of resources readily available to us now, to assist with collection development.

How does a scientific approach deal with the idiosyncrasies of different communities and neighborhoods? It’s not just about providing a well-rounded collection, but providing what the customers want most. Collection gaps versus collection priorities. Utilizing scientific analysis software’s such as Edelweiss along with the pairing of the personal touch of someone invested in the community seems to be the right balance in collection development. It is an artistic process backed by scientific data.

Kelly, M. m. (2015). An Evidence Based Methodology to Facilitate Public Library Non-fiction Collection Development. Evidence Based Library & Information Practice, 10(4), 40-61.

Artist-Designed Miniature Libraries Make Literacy Open, Free and Beautiful

Chansamone O'Meara

Pangburn, D. “Artist-Designed Miniature Libraries Make Literacy Open, Free And Beautiful.” GOOD Magazine. N.p., Dec. 2015. Web. 13 Oct. 2015. 

McCutcheon Book Station

Summary
The popularity of miniature libraries, or book stations, have spread over the past several years. They were first built by Todd Bol in 2010 when he built one in his front lawn and have spread across the United States. The Public Collection, which is an Indianapolis-based art and literacy project company is expanding the original idea. Rachel M. Simon has developed an idea to fuse the miniature library with art. The idea is to, “improve literacy, foster a deeper appreciation of the arts, and raise awareness for education and social justice in our community.” Nine artists were invited to work on the project and place the works around various parts of the city. The purpose of the Public Collection is to break down barriers to access and information and allow everyone access to the collection. According to Simon, “Art, both visual and literary, is for everyone,” she said. “And I hope The Public Collection helps strengthen this idea by sharing these gifts with the community.”

Evaluation
I think this is a wonderful idea of marrying arts and literacy. It allows for aesthetically enhancing the look of a city while providing more access and resources to people. It is yet another example of more access points for people within the community.

U. of I. Library System Has Unique Collection of Indian Comic Books

Casso, Gillian

U. of I. Library System Has Unique Collection of Indian Comic Books

Heckel, J. (2015). U. of I. library system has unique collection of Indian comic books. Retrieved from http://news.illinois.edu/news/15/0128comic_books_MaraThacker.html

Summary: This article interviews Mara Thacker who is a librarian at the University of Illinois. She talks about collecting Indian comic books that are in Hindi. She goes on to say that she believes that the library has the largest Indian comic book collection in North American. In collaboration with the International and Area Studies Library and the Undergraduate Library Ms. Tucker was able to start the collection. A goal of this organization is for each member library to create its own area of specialization that benefits a national collection of materials without duplicating another member library collection. Ms. Thacker’s interest in Indian art and culture led to this collection being born. 

Evaluation: I think that it is amazing that Ms. Thacker was able to create a collection based on her personal interest in a particular culture. It explains in the article that the library already had a great Indian film collection and that this collection could enhance the Indian materials collection. Being able to share a unique collection that not every library has is great. This collection can also give students a unique perspective into Indian art and how the world of comics is viewed in India. I think that it would be interesting to compare English written comic books with Hindi written comic books and see what similarities and differences each has.