About the Library

The Collection

Reference Services

When you need help finding information in the Library, ask a librarian. The Art Institute of Charlotte Library employs two full-time Library professionals trained in the use of reference materials and in searching for information. In addition to asking in person, students may also call the Library at 704-357-4695 during hours the Library is open, or e-mail questions to the Library Director at cacoyle@aii.edu. In-person requests are handled immediately. Phone and e-mail requests should include a date and/or time needed for the information. In general, most phone and e- mail requests should be able to be answered within a business day.

For quick reference, the Reference area of the Library contains two full sets of general encyclopedias, several general dictionaries, many subject-specific dictionaries and encyclopedias, glossaries and biographical dictionaries, along with many other indexes, directories and guides for student reference needs.

For assistance with Internet research, check out the selected web sites that have been chosen by Library staff. The web sites range from authoritative and comprehensive web databases, directories and collections to web tutorials and financial aid sites.

Additional Resources

Library Orientation: At the beginning of each quarter, Library staff provides orientation classes for students as part of the Student Success Seminar. Circulation policies and procedures, use of the Athena online catalog, and information about Library resources and services are covered in these sessions.

User Guides:The Art Institute of Charlotte Library User Guide is supplied to each incoming student as a part of general school orientation. It thoroughly describes Library services, rules and procedures. A “pocket” version of the User Guide is also available in the Library for students to use as a quick reference.

Inter-Library Loan: Inter-Library Loan (ILL) allows The Art Institute of Charlotte faculty and students to access books or magazine articles that are not owned by or available from The Art Institute of Charlotte Library. The Art Institute of Charlotte Library is able to borrow materials from other Ai Libraries as well as borrow from libraries nationwide through OCLC. For ILL policies and procedures, inquire at the Library. A sample of an ILL request form is available in the Appendix of this Guide.

Program Resource Notebooks: Program resource listings are now available in notebooks and are displayed on the top shelf of the magazine shelves. Each notebook contains a primary reference and resource list for one of the 5 main disciplines here at The Art Institute of Charlotte. These notebooks were created at student request to make individual program resources more accessible.

NC LIVE and the Public Library of Charlotte-Mecklenburg County: North Carolina Libraries for Virtual Education (NC LIVE) is a state-supported initiative to provide access to reference and research materials online in the form of full-text electronic information and indexes. Currently, access to NC LIVE is provided to The Art Institute of Charlotte students, faculty and staff through the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County (PLCMC) http://www.plcmc.org. NC LIVE access requires a PLCMC Library card.

The Public Library of Charlotte-Mecklenburg County is a nationally-recognized award-winning public Library system. Its resources, staff and facilities are some of the best in the country. Applications for PLCMC Library cards are available in The Art Institute of Charlotte Library and all The Art Institute of Charlotte students are encouraged to apply and obtain these cards, particularly during Library orientation sessions. PLCMC Library cards are free to all residents of Mecklenburg County. If someone is not considered a resident, but is enrolled as a student in Mecklenburg County, student status allows for a free Library card as well.

Other Area Libraries: The Art Institute of Charlotte Library has a formal cooperative agreement for on-site use of resources and services with Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. This is especially helpful for The Art Institute of Charlotte students living in that area, and since Winthrop’s Dacus Library supports their BFA program in interior design, The Art Institute of Charlotte Interior Design students may find their resources particularly helpful.

The Art Institute of Charlotte Library has entered into a cooperative Library lending agreement with NC A&T State University in Greensboro, NC. While not as close, NC A&T supports a bachelors program in Fashion Marketing. Information regarding lending privileges with NC A&T and its procedures may be obtained from the Library Director.

A circulation privilege for The Art Institute of Charlotte students is being negotiated with Central Piedmont Community College Library, in Charlotte. Questions about the privileges should be directed to the Library Director. In the meantime, students and faculty are welcome to use the resources of these libraries on site. Queens College and University of North Carolina at Charlotte both allow The Art Institute of Charlotte students and faculty on-site resource use.