Paul Buisson Architecture Library

About

The Paul Buisson Reference Library is a limited circulation, architectural reference library. As part of the University of Miami Libraries, it exists to serve, supplement, and enhance the scholarly information needs of The School of Architecture faculty, students, and alumni.

Collections

The Architecture Library contains over 8000 volumes, 40 periodical titles, vertical files of reference materials, the Fowler Collection of Early Architectural Books (a microfilm collection of 86 reels), maps of cities, historical maps, drawings, architectural models, and a 35mm slide and digital image collection and a collection of films. Students also have access to another 40,000 volumes specific to architecture at the Otto G. Richter Library. The University Libraries host a comprehensive collection of information resources represented by more than 3 million volumes, over 4,000 print subscriptions, over 350 electronic databases containing more than 54,000 unique journal titles, approximately 254,000 electronic books, and 3.9 million items in microforms. Library patrons may search the IBISWEB catalog, which provides electronic access to the collections of the Otto G. Richter, Marine Science, Music, Architecture, Business and Math Libraries.

The Paul Buisson Reference Library is also home to the Archive of The New Urbanism collection of reference materials relating to New Urbanist theory, writing, and design that form the core of the School of Architecture’s philosophy.

Students also have access to digital image collections through the UM Library system. Digital images to support the study, teaching, and research of the Architecture and the Art and Art History Departments at the University of Miami were developed through a partnership between ARTstor, a licensed digital image library, and Imagebase, a University Library Digital Initiatives project.

The Architecture Library collection has grown through school, faculty, student and alumni contributions. School of Architecture alumni sponsor an annual print and book fair to raise funds for the Library. The Henry A. Colina Endowment provides further funding for acquisitions of rare books.

Contacts

University of Miami Librarian, , is the Head of Architecture Information Resources and Services. She provides the School of Architecture community with library reference and instructional support and consults with faculty on collection development and policy. She can be reached through or at 305-284-5282.