Assistance

Research assistance is available by phone (413 458 0532), by email, or in person.
The reference desk is staffed from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Electronic Resources

Link to our extensive list of databases and websites for researching Art History and related disciplines. Many of these resources can only be accessed on the Clark/Williams campus.

Research Guides

Clark Library online research guides offer rich arrays of books, databases, websites, images, and other resources for research in Art History and related fields.

Library FAQs

Find further answers to questions about:
Using the library
Library collections
Library services and resources
Appraising a work of art
Researching a work of art

Using materials (Visitors)

Library materials may be used anywhere in the library but may not be taken out of the library, including into the Reading Room or up to the Penthouse.

Signing In and Out

All library visitors are asked to sign in on arrival and out on departure, using the ipads at the reception desk or library monitor's station. 

Food and Drink

With the exception of covered water bottles, food and drink are not permitted in the library or in the Reading Room.

Do Not Reshelve

Please do not reshelve ANY materials you use. Leave them on any book cart, table, or countertop.

Digital Scanning

Scanners for public use

Self-service scanners are available on the Lower Level for books and microform materials.

Scans may be emailed or saved to a USB drive. New USB drives are available for purchase at the library reference desk for a nominal fee.

Scanning Services

For library users with interlibrary loan accounts (museum staff, graduate students and faculty, and Fellows), scanning services are available for Clark books and journals and for materials obtained through Interlibrary Loan.

Scanning for Publications

Researchers needing high-quality images from Clark library books for a publication should contact Rights and Reproductions for information and to place a request.

Using Materials (In-House)

Library collections are non-circulating in that no materials may leave the Library building. However, library users with circulation accounts may check out books to their offices or carrels within the museum campus.

Requesting Materials

Library users with circulation accounts may place requests for materials not available in the stacks by using the library catalog. Click the “Request This Item” button or link in the record of the desired item.

Visitors needing materials retrieved from offsite storage should call 413 458 0532 or email the library at least three days in advance.

Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary Borrowing

Interlibrary loan accounts are created for all incoming Clark research staff, Clark/Williams graduate students, and Fellows.

Williams College faculty and undergraduates taking Art History graduate courses may stop by the reference desk or email [email protected] to request an ILL account.

Interlibrary Lending

The Clark library is a member of OCLC and of the SHARES library consortium. We will consider lending to non-SHARES libraries under specific conditions:

Items borrowed are strictly IN-LIBRARY USE ONLY.

For US libraries we charge $25/loan and $10/article, payable through IFM.

For overseas libraries we charge $30/loan and $10/article, payable through IFM or in exchange for IFLA vouchers.

Return items must be packed in boxes (NO JIFFY BAGS) and shipped via trackable carrier.

The borrowing library takes full responsibility for the care and shipping of any item loaned, and for replacement or repair if the item is lost or damaged.

Non-SHARES libraries able to meet these conditions may place requests through OCLC. We also accept requests via:

• Email ([email protected])
• Mail (The Clark Library, Interlibrary Loan, 225 South Street, Williamstown, MA  01267)
• Telephone (413 458 0532)