Future of Art Bibliography Initiative: Charting a New Future

Art and architectural scholars have long relied on a set of discipline-based bibliographic resources to support their research. In recent years, the dissolution of some of these resources coupled with shifts in research interest have prompted leaders in the field to redefine what is meant by a disciplinary bibliography and to seek an innovative approach for creating a flexible future domain-based bibliography of research literature in all its traditional and emergent forms. Librarians, scholars, publishers, and information technologists have gathered to participate in an international community-driven initiative that envisions a global approach to an ever-evolving definition of what is meant by “bibliography” and, as a practical matter, to form the Future of Art Bibliography (FAB) Initiative. The goal has been to develop a better understanding of current bibliographic and research challenges and to envision proactively a new collective roadmap for supporting art historical research going forward.