Library News
Returning library books
Although the library is closed, you can now return your library books 24/7 to the book drop located just inside the main entrance doors of the VCUQ building.
Online Consultation - Materials Library
The Materials Library team is available online to discuss your projects and answer any material inquiries you have! Visit the web page to learn more.
Writing Center Appointments
The Writing Center will be providing all of its services virtually this semester. Visit the web page to learn more.
How to request books from the Art and Design Library?
Library books may be requested directly through the library system. This video highlights the process of making a book request.
Select the title of the book you would like to request, sign-in with your eID, and then click 'request'. We will pull the book(s) from the collection and hold them for you at the VCUarts Qatar Security Desk (located inside the main entrance to the building). Books may be picked up from the Security Desk between 8:00 am-9:00 pm, 7 days a week. Photo ID is required to pick up books. Please allow 48 hours for your book request to be filled. You will receive an email notification when your books are ready to be picked up.
For more information, contact vcuqlibrary@vcu.edu
How to reserve equipments from the Innovative Media Studios?
Innovative Media Studio equipments can now be requested online! You can return IMS equipments by making an appointment through IMS Equipment Reservation catalogue page. The photo studio, green screen room and virtual reality spaces can be reserved online! This video explains the process.
For more information, contact vcuqims@vcu.edu
How to book an appointment with The Writing Center?
The Writing Center will be providing all of its services virtually this semester. All the virtual appointments will be scheduled and accessed through the WCOnline portal. This video explains the online booking and virtual appointment system.
Artfilms Digital
Artfilms Digital is an amazing video streaming database in our collection. It has a unique collection of films for arts education and arts practitioners. Their inspiring collection of masterclasses, documentaries and interviews are content that can entertain, educate and inform. Check out Artfilms Digital!
Films on Social & Systemic Injustice in Kanopy Streaming
Kanopy has curated a collection of films and documentaries around social and systemic injustice. You can access the collection with your VCU eID at https://vcu.kanopy.com/category/49044
Kanopy is a video streaming database. Kanopy provides access to one of the most unique collections of films in the world-including award winning documentaries, indie and foreign films, must see classics, blockbuster movies and theatrical releases.
Remote Services & Online Support
For more information about continuing and expanded services and online resources, see this page.
Covid-19 Updates
1001 Chairs-Book Display
Check out the new book display on chairs!
The Library Project Space Exhibit
Check out the new exhibit at the Library Project Space. The exhibit 'The Invisible Construction - Farah Series' is by by Haya Daher, Graphic Designer, Communications department.
Islamic patterns are created from invisible grids called construction lines. The grid is essential for building the pattern and it determines the scales of the compositions to keep the pattern accurate. This exhibition will reveal some of these invisible construction lines within the final pattern.
Artists’ Book Display
Check out our Artists' Book Display!
Artists' books are works of art that utilize some kind of form of the book. They are often published in small editions, and are sometimes one-of-a-kind art objects. At VCUarts Qatar, the Artists’ Book collection is developed to inspire students and faculty and to support their research and curriculum needs. Our priority is collecting works by regional artists, artists working in the MENA region and contemporary Arab artists, but we also collect works that are unique due to design, technique, tools, materials or perspective with the aim of adding diversity to the collection and inspiring the community!
While the VCUarts Qatar Artists’ Book Collection requires special housing and preservation within the Special Collections, the collection is catalogued and available for study and research.
Woven Wonder - Indian Textiles—FEATURED BOOK DISPLAY
India’s glorious textiles have been valued across the globe for centuries. The astounding variety of India’s textiles reflects an unbroken tradition of craftsmanship passed down from generation to generation.
Check out our new featured book dislay to learn more about India's great tradition of textiles.
The Library Project Space Exhibit
Check out the new exhibit at the Library Project Space. The exhibit 'Mind the White Walls' is by the PAPR student Yara Elfouly. In this exhibition, academic learning and creative practices are synthesized through journals and loose pages that detail some of the visual research, notes and studies made to document and investigate moments of inspiration.
Featured Book Display
Check out our new featured book display on diversity, equity and inclusion!
Farfasha-The Fall Library Fest
The VCUQ community had an entertaining afternoon with 'FARFASHA'-The Fall Library Fest! The end of the semester celebration was a fun filled event with music, performances, games, henna and food.
The Library Project Space Exhibit
Check out the new exhibit at the Library Project Space! The exhibit 'Jinnah -The Resilient' is curated by the honors student Daniah Farooq.
‘Judge My Cover’-Book Display
‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ goes the old saying. But is it always true? Definitely not when it comes to art and design students. For them a book can also be regarded as a visual object and its details, including typography, materials, and layout can turn the act of reading into a wonderful experience.
Check out our book display ‘Judge My Cover’! The display showcases books from the general collection that are special because of their visual design elements. The display demonstrates different perspectives and possibilities in book design.
Collective Strengths-installation
The installation 'Collective Strengths' is comprised of 296 tiles to showcase the individual and collective strengths of the freshman class. Recently UNIV 101 students participated in an atypical library orientation. Students engaged in a series of hands-on activities over the course of two weeks to connect with the VCUarts Qatar Libraries team and learn about each unit’s collections, spaces and resources. Students reflected on who they are as emerging artists and designers to create four tiles that visually portray their sense of self and their strengths with the understanding that knowing one’s strengths is a key influence on creative focus and success.
Check out the timelapse video for the installation!
‘Fully Booked’ Exhibit
Come check out the Fully Booked exhibit in the Art and Design Library!
A team from the Art and Design Library and Fashion Design departments have created this beautiful dress made from book jackets. It was inspired by a Chanel dress from the Spring Summer Collection of 2016 that was worn by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, during a visit to Tunisia in 2017. This two-piece fashion ensemble was created by manipulating vibrant book jackets into a pliable weave to mimic the classic tweed pattern that has been associated with the iconic fashion designer since the 1920s
Check out the exhibit in the Art and Design Library to learn more about the story and inspiration of this cross-departmental, collaborative exhibit.
Grab-and-Go a Book Bundle!
Want to learn more about how light influences our emotions? Curious as to how the color gold has shaped our lives?
Try one of our grab-and-go Book Bundles on display in the Art and Design Library. Each bundle contains 3-5 books about a topic from a variety of fun angles.
ARTIST OF THE WEEK-Damien Hirst
Damien Hirst is one of the worlds most recognized contemporary artists. He is a British conceptual artist who has shocked the art world with his take on beauty and unusual works. Check out our book display to learn more about his works!
Walk-In-Wednesdays
The Writing Center announces Walk-In Wednesdays! A member of the Writing Center staff will be available in the library from 1:00-4:00 pm every Wednesday for short 5-15 min sessions to help with quick tips and questions.
Materials Library
The Materials Library at VCUarts Qatar was established in 2010 as a creative resource that provides inspiration, knowledge, instruction, and consultation to the school’s community and the wider public. The only one of its kind in the Arab Gulf Region, the unique facility houses a circulating collection of thousands of diverse material samples from around the world, including catalogs, and printed literature. Visitors are encouraged to physically interact with and browse the curated collection in order to understand and experience the tactile properties of materials.
The Materials Library is located in Rm. 101 on the Ground Floor of VCUarts Qatar, adjacent to the Main Entrance of the building.
Shades of Gray-Book display
Life is not black or white, nor are the books in our display titled ‘shades of gray’. In this display, books are arranged as color shades of gray for the artists and designers who think visually!!!
Filmakers Library Online
'Filmakers Library Online' is an amazing addition to our database collection. This database gives you access to award-winning documentaries and independent films, presenting points of view and historical and current experiences from diverse cultures and traditions world-wide. Check out Filmakers Library Online.
Spotlight-Michael Wirtz
Check out this video, where Michael Wirtz, Head of Research and Library Technology reflects on current practices in art and design librarianship, the unique information needs of arts, designers and art historians, and his need to always be engaged in research.
Library Stories-Display
Stop by the library to enjoy some library stories! Our main display consists of a collection of reference questions that we received. They are bits of stories that eventually became part of bigger stories. Some of them developed into your final thesis, some became an art piece, some completely changed your viewpoints and so on. Although the display is a selective collection, it shows the range and variety of questions that library staff respond to on a daily basis. Come and see if you can identify your question in the collection!
DANDANA-The Spring Library Fest
The VCUQ community had an entertaining afternoon with 'DANDANA'-The Spring Library Fest! The end of the semester celebration was a fun filled event with music, performances, games, henna and food.
Behind the masks-Featured display
Who masks and why? Masking is a universal phenomenon, deeply rooted in cultural and social context. Like human face, masks can be interpreted in multiple angles. Apart from their multiplicity of meanings, the aesthetics of these artworks are fascinating. Check out our featured book display and learn the stories behind the masks!
Capsure-New at the Materials Library
Capsure is now available at the Materials Library! With Capsure, a color matching device, one will be able to find the Pantone number of a certain color, simply through scanning the surface or material.
Innovative Media Studios (IMS)-Open House
The Innovative Media Studios (IMS) at VCUarts Qatar organized an open house. The attendees got a chance to learn more about the IMS facilities, studios and equipments. Virtual Reality (VR) Station was one of the highlights of the open house.
David Adjaye’s visit to the Library
Sir David Adjaye OBE is the Principal and Founder of Adjaye Associates. He was the opening keynote speaker of Tasmeem Doha 2019. He visited the library and signed the books authored by him in the library collection. Books by David Adjaye are on dislay at the library.
Art in the Library
Nour Elbasuni is a recent Painting and Printmaking alumna of VCUarts Qatar. Check out this video, where Nour reflects on her painting titled Guardians and her decision to depict Arab countries as women.
New books in the Materials Library
The Real Wood Bible, Radical Matters,Stone Sampler, Material Alchemy, The Elements, and Stuff Matters. These are just some of the new additions in our bookcollection at the Materials Library.
To browse through our inspiring collection, pass by the Materials Library!
CHICAGO IMAGE CITATION GUIDE
Do you have questions about citing images in Chicago? The Writing Center now has a guide for that!
The art of the end- A visual celebration of the book endpaper
An endpaper is a leaf of paper at the beginning or end of a book, especially one fixed to the inside of the cover. They are often overlooked. In our excitement to read the book, we seldom notice them. They are not admired like a book cover and no one judges a book by its endpaper. But book endpapers are an art form with the charm and history of its own.
Please stop by the library to enjoy some of the endpaper designs!
Maggie Hager’s visit to the Library
Maggie Hager, the wife of the former Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, John Henry Hager, visited the library as part of the university visit.
She was accompanied by Heather Baker and Jacqulyn Williams led the library tour.
WE KNOW THINGS
KNOWLEDGE | MATERIALS | TEACHING | MULTIMEDIA
In history as in fiction, libraries have long been associated as places of knowledge, discovery, and preservation, and librarians as the experts who facilitate lifelong learning and inquiry. In the world of contemporary fantasy, these library experts are called Maesters and feature prominently in the TV series Game of Thrones.
The VCUarts Qatar Libraries team is the Maesters of today, focused on the development of knowledge through inquiry, scholarship, and creative works across our classrooms and studios. We are a team of experts in: materials, information, multimedia, and writing committed to providing the highest quality educational experience to the VCUarts Qatar community.
We know things...
Getting Your Feet Wet with Open Educational Resources (OERs)
As part of the Library Events & Workshop Series Spring 2019, the VCUarts Qatar Libraries presents,
What: Getting Your Feet Wet with Open Educational Resources (OERs)
When: January 22nd from 3:30-4:30pm
Where: Library Conference Room, 106i
This presentation will focus on introducing faculty and staff to OERs and free digital resources. Participants will learn how to:
- Search and locate relevant materials related to art and design quickly
- How to organize materials
- How to self publish OERs
- Best practices for authoring OERs with students as pedagogical practice.
- Brief introduction to copyright and licensing
Presented via Zoom by Thomas Woodward, Associate Director of Innovation at the Academic Learning Transformation Lab (ALTLab), Hillary Miller, Scholarly Communications Librarian at Cabell Library, and the VCUarts Qatar Library.
Food will be provided.
LOST & FOUND-The Library Display
Do objects have lives? Do they tell you stories? Do you ever miss your lost things?
Please check out our new display titled 'LOST & FOUND'. The display showcases objects from the library lost and found box. The collection ranges from a dried lemon to a lifebuoy. The display also highlights books on objects and the role they play in culture and everyday life.
Tactile Materials
We experience everything because of materials - they make up our environments, and the objects we interface with. There is no better way of understanding materials than by interacting with them.
Watch this video highlighting some of the materials at the VCUarts Qartar Materials Library!
ARTIST OF THE WEEK-Banksy
Banksy is a British street artist and activist who, despite his international fame, has maintained an anonymous identity. His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humour with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technique.
Check out our featured book display on Banksy and learn more about him and his art!
LinkedIn Makeover: Is Your LinkedIn Profile Recruitment Ready?
The VCUarts Qatar Libraries kicked off an Events & Workshops Series for VCUarts Qatar faculty, staff, and students. The third one in the series is 'LinkedIn Makeover: Is Your LinkedIn Profile Recruitment Ready?' During this workshop faculty, staff and students will learn the best practices of creating a LinkedIn profile that will attract potential employers and expand one's professional network. Participants will also have a chance to get a professional headshot taken in a studio setting. This workshop is presented by the Main Library and Career Services. Light lunch will be provided.
WHEN: 27 November, Tuesday from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Library Conference Room, 106i.
Wheel throwing demo-Clay Encounters+Materials Library
The Materials Library at VCUarts Qatar organized a wheel throwing demo by Reema Abu Hassan, MFA Student, and owner of Clay Encounters at the Pearl.
This workshop is put together by the Materials Library at VCUarts Qatar in an effort to invite local artisans/craftspeople/designers/studios to share their material processes and work with the VCUarts Qatar community.
An Artist’s Library
How has the Library jumpstarted your creativity as an artist or designer?
Watch this video to learn about one student's discovery that the library collections truly have something for everyone and how one particular book inspired her work.
WHAT’S ALL THIS STUFF? A look into the Materials Library
Please stop by the Saffron Hall to enjoy the exhibition titled 'What's all this stuff' put together by the Materials Library at VCUarts Qatar.
The Materials Library at VCUarts Qatar is the only one of its kind in the region, and houses a collection of thousands of material samples from local and international sources. There is no better way of understanding materials than by interacting with them. The purpose of the Material Library is to fuel creativity by exposing individuals to a wide range of materials. It is a space to research, to inspire, and to understand the practical, emotional, and sensory aspect of materials.
The exhibition runs through Sep 22, 2018.
Art in the Library
For the Fall 2018 Art in the Library series we are proud to exhibit the work by Ali Khan, VCUarts Qatar faculty in Fashion. The installation titled Re-editions is an interactive exhibition of clothes, accessories and attitude.
Please stop by the library to enjoy this incredible work!
Ceramic art-Featured book display
Check out our featured book display on ceramic art.
In simple terms, ceramics may be defined as objects made of baked clay. They are one of the most enduring of human artefacts, telling their own story of human history and culture.
Dji Osmo Mobile Stabilizer-New at the Innovative Media Studio
Dji Osmo mobile stabilizer turns your smartphone into a smart motion camera and will allow you to create smooth, professional looking shots. Check it out at the Innovative Media Studio.
20 years of events at VCUarts Qatar
Come and see the latest 20th anniversary celebration from the VCUarts Qatar Archives collection currently on display in the library. This trip down the memory lane contains a variety of invitations, flyers and programs!
Vantablack- New at the Materials Library
The VCUarts Qatar Materials Library is proud to acquire Vantablack, world's darkest manmade material!
Vantablack absorbs 99.965% of light. The name Vanta stands for Vertically Aligned Nanotube Array. It is made by growing tubes made of carbon with walls 1 atom thick, onto a 3D nanostructure surface that resembles a forest of many millions of tubes. Designed for uses such as preventing stray light entering sensitive telescopes, it can also be used for thermal camouflage, in art pieces, and potentially for architectural interiors, even product design!
Visit the Materials Library to check out the samples!
The Australian Ambassador’s visit
The Australian Ambassador to Qatar, His Excellency Dr Axel Wabenhorst visited VCU arts Qatar library.
He was given a guided tour of the library by Amy Andres, the Director of the Libraries. He was invited to browse a selection of books on Australian art, architecture, design and Australian Aboriginal art.
Student projects in the library
Check out the amazing student projects by the Interior Design students displayed in the library.
She, Her, Hers.
Check out the new book display celebrating women!
‘20 years of exhibitions at VCUarts Qatar Gallery’
Come and see the latest 20th anniversary celebration from the VCUarts Qatar Archives Collection currently on display in the Library - '20 years of exhibitions at VCUarts Qatar Gallery'. This trip down memory lane contains a variety of invitations, flyers and programs.
‘20 years of exhibitions at VCUarts Qatar’
As part of the 20th year celebrations, the VCUarts Qatar Archives creates a digital display of images showcasing the 20 years of amazing exhibitions at VCUarts Qatar. Check out the display at the library!
‘Toy Stories’- A book display on toys
Check out our new book display on toys.
No matter where and when we grew up, everyone has some memory of toys that they grew up with. Our toy stories are inextricably woven into our memories and our collective identities. Enjoy our book display and take a trip back in to that simpler and innocent time called childhood.
‘Once upon a time’-A featured book display on folktales.
Check out our new featured display on folklores.
Among the most enduring memories of all are the tales heard in childhood. But why do we tell stories? Where do our familiar folktales come from and how old are they? Do folktales have hidden meaning? What do the popular entertainment forms of today have in common with the traditional tales inherited from the distant past? Check out the display and learn about the stories behind the stories.
Keep track of the latest books we have available
See our newest books on our 'Good Reads' list:
New Database- Kanopy Streaming
The VCUarts Qatar libraries proudly presents ‘Kanopy Streaming’, an amazing addition to our database collection. Kanopy provides access to one of the most unique collections of films in the world-including award winning documentaries, indie and foreign films, must see classics, block buster movies and theatrical releases. With Kanopy, VCU community can enjoy movies on every topic imaginable. Check out Kanopy Streaming.
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Art & Anatomy
Why is that the medical illustration captures our imaginations? It is because it is a work of art. Today, artists are grasping anatomy from the medical world and reviving it through art in the most imaginative and artistic ways. But if you go to the Renaissance Age, you can see that there was only a fine line of distinction between an artist and an anatomist. To be an artist, for many in the Renaissance age, meant to be an anatomist and, some of the best medical illustrations were produced during this time. The study of anatomy fascinated Leonardo da Vinci, the most artistically gifted scientist and scientifically acute artist of his age.
Check out our book display on art and anatomy and find more about the spellbinding art of anatomy.
FARFASHA- The Fall Library Fest
The VCUQ community had an entertaining afternoon with 'FARFASHA'-The Fall Library Fest! The end of the semester celebration was a fun filled event with music, performances, games, henna and food.
Modern Prayer Rug Design Exhibition
The Materials Library at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar is pleased to announce the dates for the Modern Prayer Rug Exhibition: October 12 - November 30, 2017 at Company House, Msheireb Museums in Doha. Opening event at 6pm on October 12. Please visit the competition website for more information.
Book display-Life of an artist
Who is an artist? Which personality traits stand out for an artist or a designer? What are the steps in his creative process? In our main book display, we tried to tell the story of an artist through some book titles. Check out the display and see if you can relate to these titles!
META Books
The Interior Design junior students produced the 'META' books documenting their work for Spring 2017 in three IDES courses namely, IDES 201, IDES 202 and IDES 212. The classes were taught by Dr. Erik Johan, Mohammad Suleiman and Dr. Haithem. The book lauch event was held at the library and the books are now on display.
Magne-View-New at the VCUQ Materials Library
Magnetic fields are everywhere, we just can't see them. With Magne-View films you can see the magnetic fields! Magne-View films are micro-encapsulated film which enables the user to view a static magnetic field commonly emitted by permanent magnets or DC electromagnets. See and learn more about this magic film at the VCUQ Materials library.
Books on Prayer Rugs
Prayer rugs occupy a significant position in the history of Islamic rugs. They have an undeniable charm and has an aesthetic attraction quite beyond its ritual use. The patterns, motifs, colors and the weaving techniques used in the ancient rugs are so distinctive that they can tell you their origin, which tribe or village they were woven by and what message they tried to embody.
The library has a collection of books on reserves on prayer rugs, carpets and Islamic design. See a list of books on rugs in our 'goodreads' list. Explore, and learn more about the world of rugs with the amazing books!
Book display-History of fashion
The VCUQ library has a new featured book display on the history of fashion.
Fashion is a distinctive feature of the evolution of human being and culture. The journey of fashion through different civilizations and historical periods is amazing. Check out the display and discover the beauty and mystery that imbues the world of fashion and the roles it has played in the society.
Library display-pop-up books
Check out the new library display on pop-up books! The display has two sections. One section of the display highlights the books made by the Graphic Design students (Class of 2018), team taught by Law Alsobrook and Leland Hill. The next section displays pop-up books from the Special collections.
The art of pop up books requires craft and creativity. The Pop-up book artists combine art, science and creative imagination. They are sculptors using paper as their medium.
The VCUQatar Libraries Special Collections has a good number of pop up books supporting the course in book design.
Summer Chill
The VCUQ Library organized 'Summer Chill', a fun filled event with music, games, prizes, photo booth, food and more!
Three Quartets by Kamal Boullata
Three Quartets composed of twelve silkscreen prints is an amazing work by the artist Kamal Boullata. Kamal Boullata is a Palestinian artist and art historian. His works are primarily done in acrylic and abstract in style focusing on the ideas of division in Palestinian identity.
Three Quartets is composed of twelve hand-printed silkscreen prints mounted on board. The artwork evolved from the idea of dividing the square into vertical and diagonal proportions in a gradational ratio that was originally proposed by the nineth century Arab mathematician Thabit Ibn Qurra.
The twelve hand-printed silkscreen prints are dated, numbered and signed by the artist and is limited to sixty that are numbered from 1/60 to 60/60. The VCUQ Libraries proudly acquires the 31/60 of the work and becomes the only library to own this treasure.
Library display-Books on Qatar
Come see the new display in the library featuring books on Qatar from the Special Collections. The VCUQ Library has a good collection of books and media on Qatar in our Special Collections.
Art in the Library
For the Art in the Library series, the VCUQatar Libraries is proud to exhibit the work of Yousef Bahzad, a PAPR major.
Please stop by the library to see Yousef's Beautiful work.
The VCUQ Materials Library in ‘The Peninsula’
The VCUQ Materials Library is featured in The Peninsula newspaper. Check out the article!
The book display-‘Analog & Digital’
In the last several decades, all of us have witnessed a gradual evolution from analog to digital. These radical changes have also been well reflected in art and design methodologies and practices. The book display showcases art and design books that highlight this transition.
Ferro Fluid- New at VCUQ Materials Library
Ferro Fluid is a liquid that reacts to a magnetic field. The designs and patterns it creates when in contact with a magnet are mesmerizing! Find more about this freaky fluid at VCUQ Materials Library!!
ZUHOOR-The Spring Library Fest
The VCUQ community enjoyed a fun filled afternoon with music, performacnes, games, henna and food with Zuhoor, The Spring Library Fest!!
Student Projects in the Library
Amazing models by Sophomore interior design students are displayed in the library.
The VCUQ Libraries in the Gulf Times
The VCUQ Libraries are featured in the Gulf Times to celebrate Library Lovers' Month!
The VCUQ Materials Library in QF Telegraph
The VCUQ Materials Library is featured in QF Telegraph !
Check it out!
http://www.qf.org.qa/qftelegraph-archives
Issue 180
Date Published: January 29, 2017
Learn a new Language - Mango Languages is now available!
The VCUQ Library is pleased to announce that it has added Mango Languages to its list of online resources!
- 45 foreign language courses
- 18 ESL courses
- Online, self-paced instruction
- Engaging and intuitive interface
Click here to go to Mango. Create personalized login and you are ready to start learning!
Materials Library
The VCUQatar Materials Library is a unique resource of material samples and printed information on materials and products. The Library holds a wide variety of unusual and innovative material samples, from a bamboo bicycle to dayglo fun fur. More>>
New Books Shelf
Come by and browse the new books shelf on the right side of the library service desk. New books arrive every day and the display is renewed every week.
