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The Library welcomes recommendations from staff and students, provided they are current editions and support the learning, teaching and research interests of the University. Make your request through the Collection Recommendation Service.
The library offers over 200,000 print and electronic books. Print books are arranged by shelf number, which are found using LibrarySearch and on the book binding, the most relevant numbers are -
| Subject | Shelf Number |
| Artists' Books | 702.81 |
| Fine Art | 709 |
| Artists' Drawing | 741.092 |
| Drawing Techniques | 741.2 |
| Comics/Graphic Novels | 741.5 |
| Comic Strips/Cartoons | 741.569 |
| Graphic Novels | 741.59 |
| Manga | 741.5952 |
| Graphic Design | 741.6 |
| Illustration | 741.6 |
| Illustrators | 741.6092 |
| Bande Dessinees | 741.64 |
| Children's Books | 741.642 |
| Posters | 741.674 |
| Collections of Drawings | 741.9 |
| Graffiti | 751.73 |
| Printmaking | 760-769 |
Journals provide up to date research in your area of study, they may be available in print or electronic format and can be found using LibrarySearch. A list of all current journals can be found using the Journals A-Z, the most relevant are -
Databases bring together specialist collections of articles, images and electronic books. A list of all current databases can be found using the Databases A-Z, the most relevant are -
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This link opens in a new windowIndexes and provides the full text of journal articles on art, design, advertising, architecture, crafts, interior design, photography, textiles, television and video.
This link opens in a new window This link opens in a new windowDAAI is the leading source of abstracts and bibliographic records for articles, news items, and reviews published in design and applied arts periodicals. 1973 to present.
Online tutorials providing professional-level instruction in design, drawing, sculpting, painting, modeling, lighting, rendering, texturing, rigging, storyboarding, animation, and other areas related to visual effects.
This link opens in a new windowGoogle Scholar is a freely available search tool that helps you to find academic articles and books on the web. It searches publishers’ websites, university research repositories and other kinds of scholarly sites. It provides a broad and interdisciplinary search and includes the ability to track the number of times an article has been cited by other authors as well as direct links to UCA online collections. For more information see - Using Google Scholar.
This link opens in a new windowFully searchable colour images of 65,000 items from the Bodleian Library's John Johnson Collection of Printed Ephemera, offering unique insights into the changing nature of everyday life in the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Available within the UK only.
This link opens in a new window This link opens in a new windowAn archive of scholarly journals covering the visual arts, including architecture, film studies, fine art, art history, the performing arts, religion, folklore and language, 1884-2009.
RHS Digital Collections spans over 500 years of gardening history and science. As part of a commitment to improving access many collections are now freely available to view online, to students, researchers and the general public.
This link opens in a new windowInsights and facts across 170 industries and 150+ countries. See Getting started with Statista to learn more.
This link opens in a new window This link opens in a new windowThe first scholarly, primary source database focusing on adult comic books and graphic novels. 1943 to present.
This link opens in a new windowWGSN Insight provides trend analysis and consumer behaviour reports on technology, marketing, design, retail and business strategy across a range of industries, including gaming, entertainment, beauty and AI.
See - Getting started with WGSN to learn more about how to setup and use WGSN.
This link opens in a new windowBoB is on demand TV and radio service for education which allows staff and students to record programmes from over 75 free-to-air channels; and search our archive of over 2.2 million broadcasts. See - Using BoB to learn more about how to setup and use BoB.
This link opens in a new windowKanopy is a video streaming service with a Netflix-style interface which can be accessed via the link above or using the Kanopy mobile app for Android and iOS.
Login required off campus to watch films (log in with your UCA details to create a Kanopy login).
Stash is an online video library of animation, visual effects and motion design from around the world. The site is produced by Stash Media, a Canadian-based company.
Over 2.5 million rights-cleared and high quality images from 46 of the world's leading collections.
CC Search is a search tool that allows openly licensed and public domain works to be discovered and used by everyone - providing access to over 3 million images.
Archives offer access to rare and unique insight into the work of artists and creators, and often include original letters and artwork. Details of all the collections can be found in the ArchiveSearch, the most relevant for illustration are -
Artists Books
Are works of art in a book, or book-like form. The appearance and production of the work is determined by the artist as a limited edition.
Digitised front covers can be viewed in ResourceBank
Bob Godfrey Archive
Internationally celebrated animator who founded the Animation programme at UCA Farnham – we hold his scripts, storyboards, correspondence, and animation cels.
A selection of of animations are available on ResourceBank
Diagram Group Archive
Founded by Bob Chapman and Bruce Robertson in 1960’s. Diagram was one of the most prolific creators of visual information books in the 20th century – we care for most of its manuscripts and art works.
Kristian Andrews
Animators storyboards and ink drawings from 'Rabbit Punch', an autobiographical film on his life growing up.
A selection of animations are available on ResourceBank
Stuart Hilton
Artwork of an experimental documentary for '6 Weeks in June', 1996. A road animation of 11000 miles around the USA in six weeks in the back of a van with a band, a pen, and a stack of paper.
Tandem Film Daniel Greaves Studios
Animations produced by Tandem Films including ‘Flatworld’ (1997) and ‘Manipulation’ (1991) - this collection consists storyboards, scripts, and artworks.
A selection of animations are available on ResourceBank
Typographic Circle
Poster collection (2008 - 2015). Founded by Maggie Lewis in 1976, Typographic Circle brought together people with an interest in typography and type.
Working Press Archive
Books by and about working class artists and other marginalised groups of artist. Collected by Stefan Szczelkun,1986-1996 - contains correspondence, conference material, publicity, published book collection, pamphlets and zines.
Working Press Zine Front Covers on ResourceBank
Zines
Are a unique form of self-expression “do it yourself“ magazines. They cover any subject, common themes include feminism, music, politics, activism, literature, personal, crafts, art and design, and travel. Available at Canterbury, Epsom, and Farnham.
Digitised front covers can be viewed in ResourceBank
