How are women represented, specifically women of colour, in architecture library collections? I focus on two major trade periodicals to find out: Architectural Review (a British publication) and Architectural Record (American). I analyse firms highlighted in these periodicals in 2019, researching the proportion of women in leadership per each featured company. I compare against demographic and occupational statistics in the respective countries to see if these periodicals accurately represent the field, or further reinforce antiquated notions. My findings suggest that who the periodicals highlight is roughly proportionate or more diverse than the field itself, but the field continues to mostly represent white men as successful architects. Library collections reify that notion. In order to decentre the monolithic nature of many library collections, I further suggest approaches to increasing diversity based on my own initiatives.

As any art librarian who works with MFA students can attest, many artists loathe writing. It's unsurprising, then, that the thesis paper is one of the most stressful, angst-ridden experiences in an art graduate student's career. This paper explores a possible new role for the art librarian as an editor and writing coach – a ‘midwife’ for students working through the thesis writing process. The author shares information on establishing this role and offers guidance for colleagues who may wish to try similar efforts at their institutions.

The covid-19 pandemic instigated a rapid digital shift in UK higher education libraries, changing the way teaching was delivered. The digital shift of the pandemic meant library teaching was reimagined for online delivery, however pedagogical principles were challenged by new ways of working. How can a pedagogical approach for art and design librarianship adapt to online delivery when grounded in embodied, material and sensory experiences? Taking a reflective approach which brings together personal experience with discussion of selected literature, this article explores how pedagogical approaches to art and design librarianship have been continually reshaped by the pandemic.

The authors discuss a bibliographical collection focused on ballet, the personal library of the Brazilian writer and academic of Galician descent Nélida Piñon. The academic donated her private library to Instituto Cervantes Rio de Janeiro in 2022.

This article is based on a paper presented at 'Challenges of art librarianship: 2020 and beyond'.1