Library Research
Lisa Sloniowski,
English Literature Librarian
Where?
The Web as Kitchen Junk Drawer
“Doing research on the Web is like using a library assembled piecemeal by pack rats and vandalized nightly." -- Roger Ebert
“Doing research on the Web is like asking people randomly on the street.” – Roy Tennant
Library of Congress System
Where’s the Literary Stuff?
PN -- General Literature
PR -- English Literature
PS -- American Literature (incl. Canadian)
(but remember that locations vary)
Issues in the Organization of Literary Material
The rise of critical theory & interdisciplinary approaches
The problem of literature itself
The emergence of “aboutness”
Books v. Journals
How?
Search Tools: Catalogues and Periodical Indexes
Subject Guides
EN1001 Course-Related Library Guide
Search Tools
Books, Films, Encyclopedias: Library Catalogue
Journal Articles, Performance Reviews:Periodical Indexes:
MLA Bibliography, International Index to the Performing ArtsFactiva
Evaluating Your Search & Sources
Number of Results?
Relevance?
Keywords/Subject headings/Descriptors?
Correct Syntax … Boolean operators?
Usefulness to your thesis question/statement
Last Thoughts
Research is inextricably linked to the writing process
The quality of your research process has a huge impact on your GRADE
Mastery of Information = Genius?
“Marjorie Perloff has recently begun using the term "unoriginal genius" …. to describe a new tendency emerging in literature. Her idea is that due to changes brought on by technology and the internet, our notion of genius -- a romantic isolated figure -- is outdated. An updated notion of genius would have to center around one's mastery of information and its dissemination.”
~Kenny Goldsmith