Library and Archives

The library offers access to a range of research databases, which are described below. Each description includes a statement specifying whether the resource is available to all users or restricted to users within the museum.

Library Catalog

• Cultural District Library Consortium (CDLC) Catalog
  Searchable database of the Amon Carter Museum library, the Kimbell Art Museum library, and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth library. A monthly listing of new books added to the Carter’s collection is also available.
  Access: Public access

Local Collection Databases

• Bio Files
  Index to the names represented in this extensive collection of loose material, clippings, and small publications related to a range of American artists, photographers, and collectors.
• Microfilm Newspaper Index
  Index to the library’s holdings of nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century newspapers on microfilm. This collection emphasizes Texas and western U.S. titles.

Archives of American Art

• Archives of American Art Searchable Catalog
  Catalog of the Archives of American art hosted on the Smithsonian Institution’s SIRIS system. As an affiliated research center, the Carter library is a repository for microfilm copies of unrestricted material from the Archives of American Art. The “combined” search option allows limiting results to items specifically in the archives.
  Access: Public access

General Databases

• JSTOR
  Digital archive of over 1,000 leading academic journals across the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, as well as select monographs and other materials valuable for academic work.
  Access: Museum computers only; automated login
• WorldCat
  Comprehensive database that allows searching of library holdings worldwide. Materials include books, serials, archival collections, manuscripts, maps, musical scores, sound recordings, films, photographs, posters, computer files, electronic resources, and more. The catalog reflects the collections of major research libraries; academic, public, corporate and national libraries; archives and museums; and historical societies.
  Access: Free public access

Periodical Index Databases

• Art Index and Art Index Retrospective
  Searchable indexes to art-related information from periodicals published throughout the world. Periodical coverage includes English-language periodicals, yearbooks, and museum bulletins, as well as periodicals published in French, Italian, German, Japanese, Spanish, Dutch, and Swedish. In addition to articles, this database indexes reproductions of works of art that appear in indexed periodicals. Art Index covers 1984–present; Art Index Retrospective cumulates citations to Art Index volumes 1–32 of the printed index published between 1929–1984.
  Access: Museum computers only; automated login
• Index to Nineteenth-Century American Art Periodicals
  Index to 42 American art periodicals from 1800-1899. All articles, poems, illustrations, and advertisements are indexed.
  Access: Museum computers only; automated login

Biographical Databases

• Ancestry.com
  Resource for genealogical information. Includes the social security death index, census information, public records, military records, marriage certificates, birth certificates, death records, biographies, vital records, church records, immigration and naturalization records, etc.
  Access: Login required for portions of site
• AskART
  Information about 26,000 American artists, including biographical, bibliographical, and auction data (photographers not included).
  Access: Login required for auction data
• Who’sWho
  Access to the full suite of biographical resources published by Marquis Who’sWho. The resource currently contains over 1.4 million biographies with new biographies and updates added daily.
  Access: Museum computers only; automated login

Auction/Sales Databases

• Art Sales Index
  Access to over 3.5 million auction records dating back to the 1920s for paintings, prints, photographs, sculpture, works on paper, and miniatures
  Access: Free, but registration and login required
• AskART
  Information about 26,000 American artists, including biographical, bibliographical, and auction data (photographers not included).
  Access: Login required for auction data
• Gordon’s Photography Prices
  Access to photography auction records from 1970 to current date.
  Access: Museum computers only; automated login
• Gordon’s Print Prices
  The world’s largest fine print and poster price database.
  Access: Museum computers only; automated login
• Lawrence’s Dealer Print Prices
  Fine print and poster database devoted exclusively to dealer prices.
  Access: Museum computers only; automated login