Subject Research Guides
Dance
Getting Started: Selected Reference Books
Use these sources at the beginning of your research to get an overview of a topic or to identify synonyms or related terms that will apply to your topic. Later, return to these sources to clarify concepts or define new vocabulary. These sources also include bibliographical references that may prove helpful.
The Oxford Dictionary of Dance
This comprehensive resource includes facts and brief analysis on a wide range of subjects from dancers and choreographers to dance styles (from classical ballet to world and modern dances) and technical terms. Unfortunately not illustrated.
The International Encyclopedia of Dance
Comprehensive encyclopedia with nearly 2,000 entries for the field of dance. Each entry includes a bibliography of sources for the entry and for further reading.
A Core Collection in Dance
Ref GV1594 .E37 2001
Chicago : The Association of College and Research Libraries, 2001.
A bibliography of selected print and non-print materials, including new media, about dance. Includes citations for sources in all forms and styles of dance. Compiled by reference librarians.
Finding Books
Bridge
Bridge is the shared online catalog of the libraries of Carleton College and St. Olaf College. It provides an access point to the books, periodicals, government documents, and electronic resources available at Carleton or St. Olaf. When searching in BRIDGE, it is important to understand that BRIDGE can look for the titles of journals, but not for the articles within those journals.
Library of Congress Subject Headings are the words and phrases you can use to do a subject search in BRIDGE (as opposed to a keyword search, where you may use any words you like).
When starting out, it is often helpful to do a word search on your topic, and then to examine the subject headings of the results you find relevant. BRIDGE displays these subject headings as links and clicking on one of them will automatically conduct a subject search for that particular topic. If you have trouble finding relevant sources using a word search, try consulting the printed volumes of Library of Congress Subject Headings in the reference collection.
WorldCat
Search WorldCat, an online catalog for libraries throughout the world, to take your search beyond Northfield.
Call Numbers
Browsing the stacks can help you evaluate the library's collection in a given field of study. The following call number ranges contain works relevant to dance:
GV 1580 - GV 1799
Finding Articles
Use databases and indexes to locate articles and book chapters on your topic. Gould Library does not subscribe to all of the titles listed in these resources. If we don't have what you're looking for, take advantage of our InterLibrary Loan Services.
International Index to the Performing Arts (citations, abstracts; 1864 - current)
Index and abstracts of articles on dance, film, drama, television, the arts and entertainment industry, stagecraft, magic, musical theater, and performance art.
Academic Search Premier (full-text articles, citations; varying dates)
Scholarly, multi-disciplinary journals.
Arts & Humanities Citation Index (citations, 1975 - current)
Covers more than 1,140 of the world's leading arts and humanities journals in a broad range of disciplines from 1989-present. If you are new to citation searching, you might find this primer helpful.
ProQuest Research Library (full-text articles, citations, abstracts; varying dates)
General database with full-text available for many of its offerings. Good for locating reviews or articles on dance geared toward a general audience.
Finding Video
Dance in Video
Full-featured streaming video of 250 dance productions and documentaries. Selections cover ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, experimental, and improvisational dance, as well as forerunners of the forms and the pioneers of modern concert dance. Note: this collection is still under development; not all videos are yet online.
The library's media collection also holds several filmed dance performances and documentaries on dance. Click here to browse titles.
Web Resources
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
http://www.nypl.org/research/lpa/lpa.html
Research guides, digital collections, information on primary sources, and dozens of links to Web resources from a major performing arts library.
Library of Congress Performing Arts Encyclopedia
http://www.loc.gov/performingarts/encyclopedia/
Research guides, bibliographies, digital collections, information on primary sources, and links to Web resources from the performing arts division of the nation's library.
Tips for Citing Internet Sources
Carleton's page of links on citing Internet resources. Also recommended is Sources: Their Use and Acknowledgment from Dartmouth College.
This Research Guide By:
Matt Bailey- Media Resources Coordinator
- x7670
- mbailey@carleton.edu
- Library 465
