Picture Sources 3. Collections of Prints and Photographs in the U.S. and Canada.

Special Libraries Association, 1975. Indexes photographs, graphic art, and other images in 1,084 collections grouped by various subject categories such as geography and history; military history; health, welfare and education; fine, graphic and applied arts; performing arts; religion; natural history and anthropology; agriculture; geology, astronomy and space exploration; science and technology; commerce and industry; transportation; specialized (portraits, sports, costumes, etc.). With alphabetical, geographical and numerical lists of sources and subject index. 387 pages. Ex-reference-non-circulating-library, lacks title page. Red cloth, binding and pages in fine condition. Very difficult book to find.  Summary:

Picture Sources 3: Collections of Prints and Photographs in the U.S. and Canada (published by the Special Libraries Association in 1975) is a comprehensive, 387-page reference directory edited by Ann Novotny and Rosemary Eakins. Conceived as a vital tool for researchers, editors, publishers, and librarians, the volume provides a systematic guide to locating and utilizing vast archives of visual imagery across North America.

Core Content & Functional Framework

1. Structure and Scope of the Directory

The book serves as a master index documenting more than 1,000 separate collections of pictorial material. The directory outlines a wide range of institutional repositories, including commercial stock photo agencies, major public and academic libraries, historical societies, corporate archives, governmental entities, and museum print departments. Each entry lists essential operational logistics such as address, phone number, name of the person in charge, size of the collection, and the specific terms and conditions governing the reproduction and use of the material.

2. Thematic Organization and Indexing

To facilitate targeted research, the volume categorizes these complex collections into general subject chapters. These subject areas span a diverse array of fields including history, fine arts, geography, social sciences, industry, and natural history. To ensure detailed cross-referencing, the publication features extensive indexes—including a comprehensive numerical code index and an exhaustive alphabetical index—allowing users to cross-reference specific historical events, geographical regions, technical subjects, and individual artist collections.

3. Practical Research Guidance

Beyond its tabular listings, the monograph includes essential introductory material designed to guide the reader through the professional ethics and workflows of picture research. The explanatory text details proper citation practices, professional research terminology, and basic copyright laws of the era. The manual walks researchers through the steps required to secure permissions, order photographic reproductions, and safely handle delicate, archival prints.

Picture Sources 3 stands as a definitive institutional record of the mid-1970s print media landscape, long before digital archiving and online databases transformed visual communication. Compiled through the cooperation of the Special Libraries Association and the Picture Division, the reference manual maps the physical geography of graphic and photographic knowledge, preserving the structural blueprint of historical image collections across the United States and Canada.