Conservation of Art and Cultural Heritage

This freely available compilation of citations and abstracts is perhaps the most robust database focusing specifically on conservation. It indexes over 180 journals, conference proceedings, monographs, reviews, and dissertations in the field of cultural heritage conservation from ancient sources to those recently published, updated regularly. AATA Online also lists abstracts categorized by discipline, technique or material, as well as subject-specific bibliographies. AATA Online is produced by the Getty Conservation Institute, whose website provides further access to an extensive collection of full-text, downloadable publications and other resources.

Another free database of citations and abstracts derived from the holdings of an international network of conservation-oriented libraries. The database indexes  journal articles, monographs, technical reports, conference proceedings, audiovisual materials, and software and machine-readable files. While its records may not be as thorough or updated as often as AATA Online, BCIN has more citations and is notable for including unique and unpublished sources not widely held elsewhere. It also includes Art & Archaeology Technical Abstracts, 1955-1997. 

This freely available collaboratively compiled resource indexes and in some cases provides full-text access to conservation publications from the American Institute for Conservation, other professional organizations, and student papers from ANAGPIC. It also provides access to archives of multiple conservation-related mailing lists, provides searchable access to the ConsDistList archives from 1987 to current day, and other related mailing lists documenting questions, answers and announcements from professionals in the field.

While primarily an art history database, Art & Architecture Source covers a broad range of topics throughout history on fine, decorative and commercial arts, design, and architecture, including technology and conservation. It contains content formerly available from H.W. Wilson databases, with whom EBSCO merged, including Art Full Text and Art Index Retrospective. The database provides access to some full-text content as well as entries including citations and abstracts.

ABM provides broad indexed coverage of modern and contemporary art from the 19th Century to current day. It includes abstracts on subjects including art history and theory, artists' books, performance and installation art, as well as conservation and restoration.

A citation database indexing 10,000 journals primarily in the sciences but also crossing into arts and humanities. It includes citations for books, technical reports and conference proceedings and offers the ability to register for customized citation and search alerts.

SciFinder is a comprehensive database primarily focused on chemistry, with substantial coverage of materials science, environmental science and engineering.

CAMEO is a database that compiles technical information on terms, materials, and techniques used in the conservation of tangible cultural heritage. Initially organized by the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, it has expanded to draw on information from multiple research collections including the Forbes Pigment Database. 

INCCA is a collaborative network that promotes and disseminates research on the conservation of contemporary art. Its searchable database includes full text access and citations to articles, project reports, methodologies, guidelines, blogs and other resources posted by its members. Of particular note are videos of artist interviews that may discuss technique, artist intent, and thoughts on the conservation of their work.