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Kappe Library

The Kappe Library supports SCI-Arc's curriculum and the study of Architecture with a focused collection maintained by experienced staff. Since the library began in 1974—with donations from faculty, students and staff—it has grown through the support of the school, the wider SCI-Arc community and various foundations. The only academic library in Southern California focused on architecture, the Kappe Library welcomes all architectural researchers.

The Kappe Library is located on the second floor of the north end of the SCI-Arc building and provides a comfortable environment for research. SCI-Arc students, faculty and staff with a valid SCI-Arc ID may borrow books for 14 days. Magazines, reference books and reserve materials may not be borrowed. Books may be renewed 3 times. In addition, a patron may have a maximum of 20 books out at one time. There is a 25¢ fine for each day a book is overdue; the fine for A/V equipment is $5 per day. Late return of equipment twice results in loss of library borrowing privileges.

The SCI-Arc print collection is made up of 20,000 books in 97 subject areas, with architecture and related technical and design subjects accounting for most of the collection. Approximately 1,500 titles are added each year. Books are arranged on open stacks according to the Library of Congress alpha-numeric system. The library maintains about 100 subscriptions, and has more than 3,000 bound volumes of back issues.

Digital collections include subscriptions to online article databases, indexes, ebook collections and other resources, which are available to anyone on campus accessing the internet through SCI-Arc's IP address. Links to all are provided on the right side of the Kappe Library Online home page.

For research assistance, a library staff member is on duty at the Front Desk during all operating hours.

The Kappe Library Guides provide additional orientation, offering tips on research methods and resources, and recommending books, articles and websites on selected topics in architecture, the fine arts, history and cultural studies, and science and technology. Guides are available HERE.

The library is wired via airport and maintains six public workstations, including 4 scanning workstations and two Toshiba B&W photocopiers.

The SCI-Arc online catalog is available HERE.