...project for class: I had the opportunity to fill a GAP in the MFAH Hirsch Library's physical and digital collection. I've chosen to add more 20th Century African American Art resources!
I was given $2000.00 to spend on books, CDs, DVDs, e-books, e-reference and musical scores.
(Profiling this particular library for the entire summer).
#blacklibrariansrock!
Ride the Storm: Navigating Through Unstable Periods / Katerina Rudko (Belka G...
MFAH Hirsch Library Gap Development Project
1. July 17, 2012
kYmberly Keeton
Gap Collection Development Project
Professor Coyle
Information Resources Development
Section: 5400.001
I. Gap Collection Discussion
2. July 17, 2012
This summer there have been numerous opportunities to learn more about the Museum of Fine
Arts Houston—Hirsh Library. Researching through the Hirsh Library archives, a gap was found in their
collection in regard to African American contemporary art (physical and online collection). The gap was
retrieved by using the Hirsch Library On-line Catalog and inputting several artists and books as it pertains
to African American art history—all information that was entered came back as non-retrievable.
It was determined that it would best to include perspectives on contemporary African American
artists and artwork and media in general from the 20th century as it pertains to history. This is not to say
that the Hirsh Library does not have any works in their collection in relation to black art—the collection
could be more in depth.
To enhance the Hirsch Library collection for future patrons interested in African American
contemporary art-artists in the 20th century, a list of resources have been compiled with a budget of
$2000.00, provided by the collections development department. Items retrieved were books, e-reference
subscriptions, music, and films.
In regard to online professional materials used to compile the collection resource list--consisted
of some of the following: Questia.com, Avisca Fine Art.com, Studio Museum of Harlem, Microcinema,
TinWoodMedia and Boondoggle Films. The resources chosen were reviewed and used in this list to
ensure information compiled would display a broad view of Contemporary African American art in the
20th century.
Off The RECORD—What I learned…
Professor Coyle:
This was a rewarding project for me personally. I have gained a wealth of knowledge in regard to making appropriate decisions in
purchasing a collection for a library. I felt that it was needed to express this in 1st person. In addition, I was honored and ecstatic that I had the
opportunity to study more about my own culture as it pertains to African American art, librarianship, and collection development. The Gap that
found was huge and I wanted to make sure that I represented as a future special-art history librarian in a major way. I will be passing on this list
to the Hirsh Library once the class is over this summer (my entire profile project). --kYm
II. Hirsch Library Collection Development Resource List
3. July 17, 2012
View Online: Hirsch Library Gap Collection Development List
*A version has been embedded at the end of this document.
III. Sources used to compile list: Sources are in order as listed in resource spreadsheet
• Oxford History of Art: African American Art, by Sharon F. Patton
• The African American Experience: Women Artists of Color, by Moira Roth
• The Columbia Guide to Contemporary African American Fiction by Darryl Dickson
• Southern Cultures Volume 3, by Anne L. McClanan
• The New York Times: Movie Section, Reviewed by Sara Ing, Rovi
• Blackfilm.com: The Black List Volume 1, An Interview with Elvis Mitchell, by Wilson
Morales
• Blackfilm.com: The Black List Volume HBO Special Again Profiles Prominent African-
Americans, by Kam Williams
• 3blackchicks.com: Colored Frames--Documentary Screening by Cassandra Henry
• Souls Grown Deep Foundation Art Reviews: Souls Grown Deep Vol 1
• Foundation for Self Taught Artists: Purvis
• New York Times Movie Review: Painting His Fears, by Nathan Lee
4. July 17, 2012
• Reviews available via the Oxford web page for this book by Choice Magazine, Harvard
University, and Boston University
• Black Photographers Book Reviews: 30 Americans (Rubell Family Collection, 2008), by
Carla Williams
• The New York Times: ART REVIEW; Shades of Meaning From a Black Modernist,
Grace Glueck
• Powell's Books gives the best annotation for this book. There are not many reviews so
this is the best to review in regard to purchasing this book.
• Project Muse: Creating Their Own Image: The History of African-American Women
Artists (review), by Renée. Ater
• Art Collections: Amistad Research Center
• Booklist Journal via Ebsco Host: David C. Driskell Artist and Scholar Review, by Donna
Seaman
• Proceeding of the American Philosophical Society: Expanding the Mainstream: Romare
Bearden Revisited (Review), by Ruth Fine
• Los Angeles Times: A Master's View of LIfe: Virtuoso Muralist John Biggers Is Given a
Major Deserving Retrospective, by William Wilson (Art Critic @ LA Times)
• Project Muse: Journal of Contemporary African American Art, Creating Their Own
Image: The History of African-American Women Artists (review) , by Kim Cornish
5. July 17, 2012
• The Journal of Aesthetics of Art Criticism Vol. 54, Art Review, by James Winchester
• Heidegger 2000 Conference: Building Dwelling Thinking and Whitfield Lovell's
'Whispers from the Walls", by Dr. Jennifer Ellenway
• Souls Grown Deep Foundation Art Review: Souls Grown Deep Vol 2
• New Art World: Alma Thomas: Phantasmagoria-Major Paintings from the 1970s, by
Donald Goddard
• Black Music Journal: Willis Patter's "Anthology of Art Songs by Black American
Composers", Donald Ivey