Photographing pictures in a book for personal use - Query?

[D D]

I'm doing some research on some artists and theres a reference only book in the library (can't take it out). I asked the librarian if I could bring in my camera to take a few pics of the artists pics I eeded and she told me that under copyright that there wasa 100 yr ruling ! so no I couldn't.
Is this right ...did she mean that the 100yrs law applied to the book only because the artists themselves are long dead and the works are hung in public galleries. Does the copyright law still apply for visual work such as in a book of artists work. ?

Can anyone clarify.

Thanks.