Sometimes, even if you follow the advice in this guide you just cannot find anything useful. Here are some tips if you keep running into dead ends:
- Try a database that searches massive collections of text, like JSTOR, Google Scholar, or Dissertations and Theses Global.
- Check out the database LexisNexis Academic to search a HUGE collection of newspapers all at once.
- If you already have one good book or article, check the bibliography or the footnotes for additional citations. It is not plagiarism to use the same sources as another writer!
- The database RIPM has a large collection of digitized music magazines and journals from the 19th and early 20th century. This database is great for finding out about the historical context of a performance.
- There are several full-text historical and current newspaper databases listed under News in the Databases tab on the Libraries' homepage.
- Contact one of the performing arts librarians and ask for advice. We have loads of tricks up our sleeves.
- Drew Barker (dbarker@umd.edu), Performing Arts Librarian
- Steve Henry (shenry@umd.edu), Music Librarian
