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Image libraries and their scholarly use in the field of art and architectural history

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Abstract

The use of image libraries in the field of art and architectural history has been the subject of numerous research studies over the years. However, since previous investigations have focused, primarily, either on user behavior or reviewed repositories, our aim is to bring together both approaches. Against this background, this paper identifies the main characteristics of research and information behavior of art and architectural history scholars and students in the UK and Germany and presents a structured overview of currently available scholarly image libraries. Finally, the implications for a user-centered design of information resources and, in particular, image libraries are provided.

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Acknowledgements

Parts of the research activities described in this paper were funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Grant No. 01UG1630).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Media Center, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany

    Sander Münster & Cindy Kröber

  2. University College London, London, UK

    Christina Kamposiori

  3. University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany

    Kristina Friedrichs

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  1. Sander Münster
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  2. Christina Kamposiori
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  3. Kristina Friedrichs
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  4. Cindy Kröber
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Correspondence to Sander Münster.

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Münster, S., Kamposiori, C., Friedrichs, K. et al. Image libraries and their scholarly use in the field of art and architectural history. Int J Digit Libr 19, 367–383 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00799-018-0250-1

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