Research guides: Kappe Library video tutorials: Home

Video tutorials & research guides

The following video tutorials provide an introduction to the Kappe Library catalog and databases, while the "Recommended Research Guides" provide resources and strategies for productive research and citation.

Video topics include tips for book searches, how to expand and refine searches, and how to access e-books, popular databases and journal articles. Lending policies and book renewals are also covered.

Subtitles, transcription, audio speed, and full screen options are embedded with each video.

Tutorial 1: Finding books using the Kappe Library catalog

Tutorial 2: Renewing books via the Kappe Library home page

Tutorial 3: Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals overview

Tutorial 4: Detail Inspiration overview

Tutorial 5: JSTOR overview

Tutorial 6: Kappe Library Research Guides

Tutorial 7: A-Z Databases

A gentle reminder from the Kappe Library Student Assistants. Excerpt from Party Girl, directed by Daisy Scherler Mayer (Party Pictures, 1995), 41:50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjhGS7WqKrY&t=2513s

Recommended for all architectural research

Recommended Research Guides

Credit your sources: the Chicago Notes and Bibliography format. Guide demonstrates architecture-specific citations using The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) Notes and Bibliography format.

How to research architects. Guide recommends resources and proposes strategies for researching architects in any era.

How to research buildings. Guide recommends resources and proposes strategies for researching architects in any era.

How to research in 6 steps. Guide proposes a strategy for independent learning, applicable to any topic.

How to research sites. Guide recommends sources of information about sites, with an emphasis on Southern California.

Researching architecture remotely. Resources to support off-campus architecture research, including both proprietary and open access ebooks, articles, databases and websites.

Please note

These guides are intended to provide initial orientation, and suggest a variety of different lines of investigation—not take the place of individual research.
All the resources cited here--print and digital--are available through the Kappe Library at SCI-Arc.Items not available at SCI-Arc are not included.
Surveys covering multiple projects are preferred over monographic studies focusing on specific works or individuals.
Resources on Los Angeles and Southern California are stressed.
Proprietary digital resources (Avery Index, Oxford Art Online, ArtStor, etc) can be accessed on-campus at SCI-ARC via any SCI-Arc internet provider. Off-campus they can be accessed 24/7 via the Kappe Library proxy server, and a valid SCI-Arc Network username and password.

The Kappe Library at SCI-Arc

FALL TERM HOURS (September 14-December 12, 2025)
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday: Noon - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: Noon - 10:00 p.m.

Closed for Thanksgiving November 27-28.
Winter break (December 13, 2025 - January 9, 2026)

Access Kappe Library online resources: library.sciarc.edu

Be sure to activate EZProxy to access all proprietary databases: https://login.sciarc.idm.oclc.org/login