Intro to Acting

DRAM-1352-3
Gilliam

Locating Plays at the Coates Library
Prepared by Benjamin Harris, Reference/Instruction Librarian

Many plays and short stories are anthologized or collected in books that do not include the text's name in its title.  However, many of these texts can be found by using the Coates library catalog.
 

1.  Locate keywords for use in searching.  Using a word or set of words related to your topic when searching should result in more specific information, often in less time.  You can locate keywords in a number of ways:

1.  Browse the subject headings index of the Library of Congress classification system (available at the library's help desk).

2.  Look up books in Quest, the library's catalog, using very general search terms.  Then, look at the description of a specific book to see what subject terms were assigned to that text.  By clicking on one of the topics under "Subjects" you will be redirected to a list of similar texts.

3.  Experiment with combinations of terms while doing a keyword search in Quest.

Possible Keywords

●  use specific names as subjects, such as "Stowe, Harriet Beecher" or "Fechter"

●  using other terms in a keyword search might offer more specific results; for example, "Stowe" and "play"

●  use specific titles of works, and be certain to watch your spelling, as in "Octoroon"

 

2.  Locate books.  Use the library's catalog (Quest) to find books on your topic. CLICK HERE for information on using Quest.  Examples of books found related to your course assignment include
 

Count of Monte Cristo  (Charles Fechter)

Best Plays of the Early American Theater  (PS 625 .B398 1967)
 

The Drunkard  (William Henry Smith)

Early American Drama  (PS 631 .E27 1997)

The Drunkard  (PS 2878 .S357 D7 1972)

Dramas from the American Theater  (PS 623 .M66 1966)
 

The Octoroon   (Dion Boucicault)

Early American Drama  (PS 631 .E27 1997)

Selected Plays of Dion Boucicault  (PR 4161 .B2 A6  1987)

Octoroon  (PR 4161 .B2 O3 1969)
 

Uncle Tom's Cabin  (Harriet Beecher Stowe)

Longman Anthology of American Drama  (PS 625 .L66 1982)

50 Best Plays of the American Theater  (PS 625 .A16 1969)

Dramas from the American Theater  (PS 623 .M66)
 

Under the Gaslight  (Augustin Daly)

Under the Gaslight  (PS 1499 .D85 U6 1970)

Hiss the Villain; Six English and American Melodramas (PR 1271 .B6)

 

3.  Locate the book in the library.  The books listed above are all located on the 4th floor of the Coates library.
 

4.  When you need help, be sure to contact a librarian.  Librarians are available at the Help Desk in the library, and you are welcome to set up research appointments for topics or projects that may require extended assistance.  In addition, you can also contact them through email, by phone, and very soon, through an online chat service.

Prepared by Benjamin Harris, Reference/Instruction Librarian, Liaison to the Department of Speech and Drama
Trinity University   Coates Library
September 2004