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Information Resources for Directing

WebCat - the database used to locate books and all other materials owned by the University Libraries.  Don't forget that "ink on paper" resources are generally authoritative and are still the easiest to use for many questions.

WorldCat - if you cannot find the book you're looking for in the Smith Library, WorldCat contains records of over 95 million items in over 400 languages from over 60,000 participating libraries from around the world.  As you might expect, most records are of books, but you will find records of any conceivable item a library might own including audio and video recordings, computer programs, archival materials, maps, musical scores and more.  Some items in this database date to before 1,000 B.C. Approximately one million items are being added annually, and WorldCat is updated daily.  (remote access requires Outlook username and password)

Sample Keyword Searches for Use in WebCat and WorldCat

Drama AND 20th century AND History AND criticism. 
American drama AND 20th century. 
Comedies
Monologues
Farce
Acting AND Auditions
Tragedy AND History AND criticism. 
Melodrama AND History AND criticism. 
Drama AND 20th century AND History AND criticism. 
One-act plays
One-act plays AND American
American drama comedy AND history AND criticism
Children's plays
English drama
English drama AND comedy AND history AND criticism

 

Research Databases - these proprietary databases are leased by the Shenandoah University Libraries at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars annually.  They include materials which are accurate and authoritative and have search interfaces designed by experts to make your search for information easier.  Using these databases will generally provide more accurate information more quickly and easily than using "free" Internet sources.

Web Sites - Caution:  The sites listed below are available "free" of charge on the Internet.  They have been selected by experts for their accuracy and reliability.  However, one should always use a critical eye in evaluating information found for free on the WWW. 

Selected Print Sources - mostly from the Reference Collection on the first floor of Smith Library

Copyright Basics - courtesy of the U.S. Copyright Office (Adobe Acrobat required)
 

Library Home - Catalog - Journal Locator - Databases - Internet Resources - Media - Reference/Instruction - User Services - General Info -
Off-Campus Support - Forms - Faculty Info - Other Libraries - Site Index

        Research Databases        

Databases with an English/Literature Focus/Aspect

MLA International Bibliography - is produced by the Modern Language Association of America.  It  indexes journals, books and other materials written about literature, language, linguistics and folklore. Coverage begins in 1963 and the database now includes over 1,400,000 records.  (SU students off the campus network should use their GroupWise username and password at the login screen.)

Literature Resource Center - combines the MLA database with fulltext from Contemporary Authors, Dictionary of Literary Biography, Contemporary Literary Criticism, Twayne's Author Series and Scribner's Writers Series

Arts and Humanities Search   indexes over 1,300 periodicals in the arts and humanities (not just literature).  It is updated weekly and now contains over 2,500,000 records.  Some periodicals have been indexed since 1980.  This database can be accessed both on-campus and off-campus through remote proxy access.  (remote access requires Outlook username and password)

Fulltext Databases

Project Muse - this full-text resource provides access to 45 scholarly journals in the humanities, social sciences and mathematics. (remote access requires Outlook username and password)

Academic OneFile - provides indexing to more than 11,000 scholarly journals in the humanities, sciences and social sciences. The fulltext of articles is available for approximately 3,500 of the titles indexed. Some of the journals indexed may be available in the University Libraries. (remote access requires username and password)

JSTOR - an archive of scholarly journals providing the fulltext (PDF files) of hundreds of  journals from all disciplines.  Coverage extends back decades for many titles, but most have a "moving wall" which blocks access to the most recent articles.

Cambridge University Press - this full-text resource provides access to 120 scholarly journals in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences (remote access requires username and password)

Oxford University Press Journals Online - this full-text resource provides access to 120 scholarly journals in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics. (remote access requires username and password)

Wilson OmniFile Full-Text, Mega Edition - provides access to indexing and abstracting for approximately 3,500 journals and magazines from the humanities, social sciences, and science and engineering, with fulltext available for about 1,750 titles.  Coverage for some titles begins as early as 1982.  (remote access requires username and password)

Miscellaneous Databases and Research Related Digitized Tools

Dissertation Abstracts - Indexed doctoral dissertations and theses from universities in the U.S. and abroad.  Over 1,560,000 items from all fields of study, dating back to 1861.  Abstracts provided for records since 1980 - thesis abstracts since 1988.  This database can be accessed both on-campus and off-campus through remote proxy access.  (remote access requires username and password)

Biography and Genealogy Master Index - "indexes current, readily available reference sources, as well as the most important retrospective works that cover individuals, both living and deceased, from every field of activity and from all areas of the world.  Searching Biography and Genealogy Master Index will enable you to quickly determine which publication to consult for biographical information." (remote access requires username and password)

Journal Locator - is an alphabetical list of journals and magazines to which the University Libraries provide access.  This title list will, in most cases, tell you the dates available for a particular electronic title, and you can connect to the appropriate database.  You can then search the database for the title you need. 
If we subscribe to a title in print format, SU Journal Collection will be stated and you can connect to the catalog record which will show our subscription holdings.  The catalog record will tell you whether a title is available in paper or on microfilm.
Approximately 27,000 titles are available

NEW  --  Search and Browse Journal Locator  -  Find Both Print and Electronic Journals Available Through University Libraries

InterLibrary Loan Forms - just click here to bring up the forms for books and journals.  Remember, you must make sure that we do not have access to what you need in our local collection, BEFORE you make a request. 

WorldCat - contains records of over 95 million items in over 400 languages from over 60,000 participating libraries from around the world.  As you might expect, most records are of books, but you will find records of any conceivable item a library might own including audio and video recordings, computer programs, archival materials, maps, musical scores and more.  Some items in this database date to before 1,000 B.C. Approximately one million items are being added annually, and WorldCat is updated daily.  (remote access requires Outlook username and password)
 

    Remember to read on-screen instructions; some systems are actually quite friendly.

     Use online help features for more detailed explanations of how to search each particular
     database.
 

     Always feel free to ask a librarian for help!!

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                         Web Sites            

Caution:  The sites listed below are available free of charge on the Internet.  They have been selected by experts for their accuracy and reliability, however one should always use a critical eye in evaluating information found free on the WWW.

The Costume Page - was created by Julie Zetterberg Sardo "for the benefit of those who study and/or make costumes: costumers, students, historical re-enactors, science fiction fans, professionals, amateurs, dancers, theatrical costumers, trick-or-treaters, writers, researchers, and all those interested in fashion, textile art, and
costume history"
Dramatists Play Service Inc. - "Representing the American theatre by publishing and licensing the works of new and established playwrights. For more than 60 years Dramatists Play Service, Inc., has provided the finest plays by both established writers and new playwrights of exceptional promise"
American Theater Web - up to date though not comprehensive news on regional and national theatre news.  Includes newsletter signup and calls for scripts
Broadway.Com - news, reviews, ticket finder and much more
The New York Theatre Experience - "Our mission is to provide the most complete and accurate guide to the New York theatre scene on the World Wide Web."  Courtesy of the New York Council on the Arts
The New York Theatre Wire - "advance news of what's playing on New York stages," including alternative and international theatre, music and dance
Playbill Online - broadway, off broadway, national tours, regional and more
United States Institute for Theatre Technology - the association of design, production and technology professionals in the performing arts and entertainment industry.  "The mission of USITT is to actively promote the advancement of the knowledge and skills of its members"

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        Selected Print Sources from the Reference Collection
 

The Oxford Encyclopedia of Theatre and Performance     Ref PN 2035.094 2003 - two volumes
The Encyclopedia of the Musical Theatre     Ref ML 102.M88 G3 2001 - three volumes
A Chronology of American Musical Theatre     Ref ML 1711.8.N3N67 2002 - three volumes
The Cambridge History of American Theatre     Ref PN 2221.C37 1998 - two volumes
The Oxford Companion to the Theatre     Ref PN 2035.O9 1983
The Cambridge Guide to Theatre     PN 2035.C27 1995
International Dictionary of Theatre Plays    PN 2035.I49 1992
Bordman's American Musical Theatre    ML 1711.B67 1992 Second Edition - a classic

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