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Libraries

About SCAD Libraries

Mission and Vision
History
Policies

Mission

The mission of the Savannah College of Art and Design libraries is to support and promote the academic goals of the university: to prepare students for professional careers, emphasize learning through individual attention and uphold a positively oriented university environment. The library accomplishes this through the following:

Serving as a center for learning by providing a place for students and faculty to actively engage in study and research;
Selecting, acquiring, organizing, preserving and providing access to scholarly information supporting the university's curriculum;
Assisting and instructing students and faculty in finding and using scholarly information available at the university and elsewhere;
Using technology to extend access to library resources and services;
Collaborating within and outside the university to enhance library collections and services; and
Inspiring lifelong learning.

In accordance with the university's commitment to the academic community at large, the libraries also serve as information resource centers through both direct access to extensive collections and by sharing resources as needed with scholars and other academic institutions.

Vision

SCAD libraries will be a defining leader in support of art and design education by extending the boundaries of library resources and services tailored to the unique needs of the SCAD community.

SCAD Libraries is comprised of four geographic locations as well as an extensive digital presence to serve the college community. As a whole, SCAD Libraries' collection provides access to more than 200,000 books, 900 current print serials, a wide variety of special collections items, 12,000 full-text e-journals, 30,000 e-books and more than one million digital images. Each collection has unique strengths to meet the needs of that particular SCAD location. More than 30 full- and part-time staff members maintain library resources and are available to assist students, staff and faculty.

Located in the heart of downtown Savannah, the Jen Library's 85,000-square-foot building, occupying an entire city block, is one of the largest art and architecture libraries in the United States. It serves as the 'central' location in the SCAD Libraries system and houses the majority of the Libraries' staff and print collections. Built during the 1890s, the structure has housed at least five different businesses in its lifetime, including Levy and Maas Brothers department stores. The building was acquired by SCAD in 1996, and restoration work was completed in 1999. The library is named in honor of SCAD benefactors Jim Jen and the late Lancy Jen.

When the Atlanta College of Art merged with the Savannah College of Art and Design in June 2006, the important resources of each institution were combined to create a significant specialized library named the ACA Library of SCAD in honor of the Atlanta College of Art's century of fine arts instruction.

The ACA Library of SCAD is located at 1600 Peachtree St. N.W., on floor 4A. It offers students a variety of opportunities for academic, intellectual and artistic growth. Most notably, the ACA Library houses a premier collection of more than 2,000 artists' books.

Located in the home building of SCAD Hong Kong, the library is part of the historical North Kowloon Magistracy building. The 2,200-square-foot library houses a collection of books, videos, periodicals and databases supporting learning and scholarship for students and faculty at the SCAD Hong Kong location.

The Lacoste School of the Arts was founded in 1970 by American art professor and painter Bernard Pfriem. Over the years, the college has been owned or operated by several entities. In 2002, SCAD acquired the campus and has invested millions into upgrading the facilities, infrastructures and academic programming available to its students. Today, the location is equipped to welcome 250 students per year and to offer courses in more than 20 majors on par with those it offers in the United States.

The three-story library is housed in the village's former boulangerie (bakery). The cozy interior features an original domed stone oven on the ground floor, which serves as an intimate reading area. There is also a small terrace connecting the two sides of the library (F and B), creating a circuitous path throughout the stacks. A painting of Pfriem is in the large study room just past the stone oven on the ground floor.

SCAD Libraries began offering electronic resources in 1989. The libraries now offer an extensive range of 100 percent digital research materials, a mobile-friendly catalog, and one-on-one online research assistance. Our digital collections and services continue to grow and may be used by all members of the SCAD community.

Access policy

SCAD Libraries are key, central learning resources for each location they serve. They provide access to a wealth of print, electronic and special collections materials targeted to the needs of students, faculty and staff. In addition, each library affords an inviting, secure environment for work and study. All SCAD Libraries* are closed to members of the general public. In addition to providing access to current SCAD students, faculty, staff and alumni with valid ID, SCAD libraries also provide access to the following:

Individuals with valid IDs from other institutions of higher learning, including cultural institutions (e.g. museums)
Escorted guests of faculty and staff, upon acknowledgment and sign-in at the front desk; unescorted guests by prior faculty or staff arrangement with the head librarian or dean of library services
Family members escorted by SCAD students, upon presentation of identification, particularly during special events such as orientation or commencement
Groups with related professional interests such as conference attendees or those affiliated with the university for special events such as the Savannah Film Festival or SCAD Style, by prior arrangement with library staff

*SCAD Hong Kong Library is accessible to members of the general public during the regular operating hours of the campus: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. All visitors are allowed to use collections in house. Priority of using materials, resources and equipment will be given to current SCAD students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Circulation policy

A valid SCAD ID is needed to check out materials.

Circulation periods are as follows:

Undergraduates may check out up to 10 circulating books for two-week periods.
Graduate students may check out up to 30 books at a time.
Faculty members may check out books for 180 days, but the books are subject to recall for use by another patron at any time. Books which have been requested by other patrons will check out for 30 days.
SCAD staff (non-faculty) may check out up to 10 circulating books for two-week periods.
SCAD Alumni may check out up to five circulating books for two-week periods.

Renewals: Checked-out materials may be renewed online provided that:

The item is not on hold for another patron.
The item is not overdue.
The patron does not owe any fines to the library.
If unable to renew online, please bring the item(s) to the library in-person or call for more information.

Reference books, reserve materials, periodicals and special collections are for in-library use only.

Fines: Fines are charged on overdue materials at the following rates:

Circulating materials: 10 cents per day
Interlibrary loan materials: $5 per day
Reserve materials (limited in-library use only): $1 per hour
Fines can be paid in the library with cash, check, or SCAD card (no credit cards). Please call the library if you are unable to pay a fine in-person.

ARCHE program in Atlanta

Current students and faculty of 20 Atlanta-area colleges and universities can share library resources through an interlibrary loan and interlibrary use program. Students are also able to take classes at each location. ARCHE Member institutions include: Emory, Georgia Tech, Agnes Scott and Spelman College, just to name a few. For more information, contact the ACA Library circulation desk at 404.253.3196.

Online resources

The SCAD Libraries Catalog is available for general searching by anyone. However, a valid SCAD ID is required for remote access to library databases, e-books and other electronic resources. Alumni may not access electronic resources remotely.

Confidentiality policy

All patron information is confidential. Reading history (records of materials previously checked out) is not retained unless specifically requested by the patron. You may opt-in by signing into your account: Click "my reading history." Patrons may opt out at any time.

Donation policy

The libraries welcome donations of books and other materials that are up-to-date, support SCAD's current academic programs, and are in clean and useable condition. SCAD Libraries reserves the right to refuse donations and sell, discard or transfer donated materials not added to the collection.

Donations are accepted by appointment only; contact the library nearest you to set up a meeting.

Film, video and photography policy

Per SCAD campus policies, photography and filming of any kind are not allowed in any library location without prior approval. Please contact the library to inquire about obtaining permissions.

SCAD Libraries provides access to many online and print materials that support the college's curriculum and cover a wide array of subjects. The libraries' extensive holdings include books, periodicals, DVDs, research databases, image databases, e-books and special collections of rare books, student theses and unique items.

Find and access books, databases and more at the SCAD Libraries Catalog