I have the same arrangement at UCLA, and it's a bummer. Still, it's a great library.

I don't know of any private/university libraries with borrowing privileges unless you're a member/student. LA Public is a good resource, but I don't know how current its collection is on architecture. If you don't need absolutely the latest stuff, they may be just fine. The central branch downtown will have by far the biggest selection in all subjects. Well worth the trip, too: the Goodhue building is amazing, even with its somewhat cheesy renovations. Happy reading!

thanks citizen.
btw, those public information guys: definitely stoned.

well citizen, it's just you and me baby. hours are not always the most flex, but this is what i found out about library collections, and there is no charge for doing research (but non-circulating policy)

LA County Museum of Art
http://www.lacma.org/
Balch Art Research Library
The Art Research Library, with a non-circulating collection of approximately 150,000 books, journals, and periodicals is available for use by the adult public by appointment. For more information about the Art Research Library call 323-857-6118 or by email at [email protected]

The Getty
http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/library/access_policy.html
The Research Library is open to inquiries from all visitors on a drop-in or appointment basis.

Three levels of reader privileges are available to facilitate access as needed:

Plaza Reader

Plaza Reader privileges are available to any visitor with government-issued photo identification.
Access to the Plaza level of the Research Library, which houses art reference materials, J. Paul Getty Trust Publications, a Los Angeles collection, and the current periodicals reading room. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Four public terminals provide access to the Research Library Catalog, from which general library materials from stacks and storage may be requested for use in the Plaza reading room.
Parking is available free of charge; parking reservations are required and may be made through the Reference staff.

Thanks for those other resources, AQ. I didn't know that either of them was accessible to mere mortals like us.

Are you researching anything specific? Or is this for general edification?

yeah, go figure. those museums ARE there for public education!

i used the MOMA library (NY) when i was an undergrad, cause my state school library was the pits. right now doing research for... personal projects. also trying to pull together a curatorial proposal on for a 2 nfp exhibition spaces in ny, but dont know when it will all come together.

AQ-

go to the santa monica DMV off of Olympic in the future. most gorgeous people i've ever seen at a DMV (though that doesn't say much). the people waiting that is, not the employees...

ha. thanks.

hi. you can get "stack reader" privileges at the GRI. you just need to prove that you are doing research by showing them an abstract and filling out an application that asks for your research advisor. i'd recommend the "stack reader" card over the "plaza reader," as there is a wealth of info/books that's accessible within the tombs of the white marble tower...

http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/library/access_policy.html

additionally, all researchers have access to important databases like artindex, artbibliographies, etc.:

http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/citation_databases/art.html

link to the catalogue: http://library.getty.edu

have you also tried the los angeles public library in downtown? i'm often surprised by what i'm able to find there (i do research on contemporary art of the 60s and 70s). and if they don't have something you're looking for, there's always interlibrary loan with other branches around LA.

http://www.lapl.org

sorry i'm frantically posting! but if you get a library card with the LAPL, you're given selected access (not bound to the library's IP!) to various useful databases:

http://databases.lapl.org

have you tried moca's library? they have a decent collection of mostly contemporary architectural publications. you have to call the librarian to make an appointment to access the collection.

good luck!

I second that Santa Monica DMV recommendation. Yowza.

.mm

"tombs of the white marble tower..." that's a good one. the sun glare giveth me a headache.

thanks for the headup on stacks vs. plaza & LAPL.

tomorrow i head to santa monica dmv. there'd better be some eye candy for the ladies too or MMat and ACFA are gonna hear about it!

Hey, anytime you spend three consecutive afternoons at or around the DMV, there's bound to be a couple. (Twice the power went out and they shut down for the day, then the third day I finally got through the lines).

.mm

ok, unfortunately for me, the girls were grade A and the boys were B-

DMV in LA/Hope St gets a B--
DMV santa monica gets B+