Welcome to The David C. Driskell Center Collections Database!
Tips for Searching
Terminology and Catalog Searches (Archives / Photos / Libraries / Objects)
Archives refers to the Archives Collections. (To get more accurate results for the Archive collections, please use the Advanced Search page and limit search to "Archives" and "Containers" or use the Keyword Search.) Libraries refers to the books in the Library Collection. Photos refers to photographs cataloged in the Archive Collections. Objects refers to the Art Collection. The catalog buttons can also help narrow down your search, by only searching with a selected catalog. If you only want to search for art in the Art Collection, click the Objects button and type in your keyword(s) or phrase. You can also browse records within that catalog without performing a search.
Keyword Search
The Keyword Search button allows you to perform a general search across multiple fields for any catalog records online. Keyword searches use OR as the default connector between words (e.g. a search for Hanley Ranch will return records associated with Hanley OR Ranch). If you want to find records where both keywords are found, type in AND between the two words. To search for a specific phrase, be sure to put the phrase within quotes (e.g. "Rocky Pine Ranch"). You can also use the asterisk (*) as a wildcard (e.g. a search for histor* would come up with records containing history, histories, historical, etc.). Searches are not case sensitive.
Advanced Search
The Advanced Search button can help you be more specific with your search. You can search for a word or phrase within a particular search category or use multiple categories to further narrow down your search results. For example, searching White in the People field will bring up any records associated with a member of the White family, without having to sift through black & white photographs. You can also search People and Creator records through Advanced Search. Phrase searching with quotes and use of wildcards (*) are available in Advanced Search.
Random Images
The Random Images button is a great way to just browse the collection. Each Random Images page displays a random assortment of images from the records online. If something piques your interest, click the thumbnail to view a larger version of the image.
Please note: The Library and Archives are available for research by appointment. To make an appointment to view Library or Archives collections, please contact the Driskell Center at driskellcenter@umd.edu.