The Libraries seek to support research in all aspects of architectural history, architectural design, landscape architecture, and historic preservation. The Libraries collect the decorative arts (primarily American), where related to interior design, and environmental studies, where related to architecture. It supports the needs of undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. students, the teaching faculty, post-docs, and many visiting researchers.

Areas of established specialization are the classic works of architecture from the earliest imprints to the present. The collection is particularly strong in 16th, 17th and 18th century European and British architectural literature, and in American architectural books printed after 1775.

Overall, the Libraries' existing collection and current acquisitions commitment, based upon available resources, for Architecture are at the research level. Its collecting goal, however, is at the exhaustive level.

1. Formats collected: We collect annuals, monographs, periodicals, textbooks, reference tools and scholarly series extensively and audio-visual material, CD-Roms and other electronic tools, maps and dissertations selectively. We do not presently collect newspapers relating to architecture.
2. Imprint Dates Collected: We collect current publications, earlier twentieth-century, nineteenth-century materials extensively, and earlier materials selectively.
3. Chronological Focus: We collect materials focusing on all chronological periods.
4. Languages Collected: We collect materials in major Western European languages extensively, and all others selectively.
5. Place of Publication: We collect North American and Western European materials extensively and materials published elsewhere selectively.