Image Buyers’ Guide: An International Directory of Sources for Slides and Digital Images for Art and Architecture, 7th ed.

Citation

Hurych, J. (2000), "Image Buyers’ Guide: An International Directory of Sources for Slides and Digital Images for Art and Architecture, 7th ed.", Collection Building, Vol. 19 No. 4, pp. 168-170. https://doi.org/10.1108/cb.2000.19.4.168.1

This reference work has been published since 1970 as the Slide Buyer’s Guide. The seventh edition is the first one that includes sources for digitized images in addition to sources for slides. Information in this standard reference tool is based on responses to a questionnaire mailed to vendors worldwide. The image providers, including museums, institutions and consortia, are evaluated on the quality of images offered, on the completeness and accuracy of documentation and on the service provided, especially promptness in filling orders. The evaluation committee consists of 15 experienced curators and visual image librarians. The statement on quality standards is included in the introduction. Evaluation criteria are explained and applied to most vendors, usually on the basis of samples sent. The subject index was created from vendors’ catalogs, brochures and lists. There are several standard headings used for organizations within individual entries: Profile (scope and focus of the image provider), Photography (major photographers and type of camera), Production (description of physical objects), Documentation (for instance, description of a catalog), Purchasing (how the images are sold) and Price Range for purchase and/or rentals.

More than 350 sources are listed and arranged by geographic areas. The new section lists 50 digital image providers. The appendices list sources of slides that are coordinated with text as well as sources that no longer provide images in the USA and Canada. Besides being a directory of slide and digital image for art and architecture sources from the USA, Canada and many other countries, it is a tool that helps librarians to use reliable sources for purchase of slides and digital images and teaches vendors about professional standards for quality.

This is highly recommended for all types of libraries as a standard reference tool for visual images.