THE DISD LIBRARY

The DISD Library is an important part of the professional training of our students. The Library collections support the school's curriculum and also serve as a model resource center for the students' future professional lives.

Interior design is a profession which applies art and design concepts in inhabited spaces. Successful professionals in this field are thoroughly grounded in the history of art, architecture, and design; proficient in visually expressing their ideas in two and three dimensions; and adept in creatively applying their knowledge of space analysis and planning with information about materials, furnishings, and construction. Students use the in-depth collections of the DISD Library, both in print and online, to complete classroom assignments throughout their course of study.

Talented interior designers are experts at researching options and choosing the best solutions – whether it's a standard design or a cutting edge concept. When students graduate, their practical skills must include the ability to find up-to-date information. The Library plays an important role in teaching students to find, evaluate and use information on a wide range of topics. Here they see the best of international periodicals in interior design, and also in the related fields of fashion, fine art, travel, industrial design, architecture, merchandising, and graphic design. Students have the opportunity to see current events as well as the best of popular culture and high culture. Through constant exposure to the infinite number of ways individuals have achieved success, students come to understand their own personal search for expression.

The Library is adept at meeting the learning needs of individual students. Because our students arrive from throughout the world and with very different educational backgrounds and training, the DISD Library provides each student with the opportunity to see the world's best design work in our books and through our excellent periodical collection, while the librarian assists students in learning to use the many information resources available. Once students are drawn to the library through course work demands, they find themselves surrounded by wonderful information sources to inspire them and to open up new areas of interest. All of this is accomplished in a comfortable, relaxed learning environment.

The Library also contributes to DISD's efforts to teach students the use of computers and online information as tools in their professional lives. Just as they learn to use the CAD software necessary for professionals in the design field, they learn to access, evaluate and make effective use of electronic information and communications. Students also learn when and how to use the other academic and public library systems in the area. Through the research required by their coursework, students become comfortable using the many new electronic tools and resources that are increasingly important to communication and professional development.

DISD LIBRARY'S ONLINE CATALOG

Students, instructors and community members can search the DISD Library's Online Catalog for books, magazines, and other materials in the Library collections. Current DISD students and faculty members can log in to see what materials they have checked out and when those materials are due. Current DISD students and faculty members also have access to Wilson OmniFile Select, an online collection of magazine and journal articles.