![[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Some Common Areas of Specialization](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Recommended
More Related Content
Viewers also liked
Viewers also liked (17)
Similar to Specialized Biographical Resources
Similar to Specialized Biographical Resources (7)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
Specialized Biographical Resources
- 1. A Guide to Specialized Biographical Resources These are biographical resources that focus on a specific subject.
Editor's Notes
- SLIDE 11 ROLE PLAY : Hi, I have to write a report on an American author. I’m not really sure where to start. What should I do? When encountering this type of question it is often useful to consult a biographical resource that focuses on a specific population. Large libraries will own many specialized biographical resources, whereas most small and medium libraries will probably own only those that are relevant to their clientele. NEXT SLIDE
- SLIDE 12 Some common areas of specialization for biographical resources are: ethnicity, history, literature, religion, science, and sexual orientation. NEXT SLIDE
- SLIDE 13 ETHNICITY Though there are many different resources which focus on different ethnicities, I would like to point out the following, which are very easy to use, comprehensive and fairly inexpensive. They are: Notable Asian Americans Notable Black American Men Notable Black American Women Notable Native Americans Latin American Lives HISTORY In terms of history oriented biographical resources these are 2 great resources. They are more likely to be owned by large public or academic libraries. Regents of Nations is a very helpful tool, but it is very complex and very expensive. It gives information about the leaders of different countries throughout history. Who’s Who in the Middle Ages is not nearly as expensive, but focuses on a very specific time period. It is very easy to use. NEXT SLIDE
- SLIDE 14 LITERATURE For literary biographies please consider the following: American Women Writers is easy to use and fairly inexpensive, however, the scope of coverage is very specific. Contemporary Authors is a very complex resource, but what it lacks in ease of use it makes up for in comprehensiveness. Dictionary of Literary Biography is a much different resource. It contains many volumes, with each volume focusing on a specific subject. For example, one volume might contain coverage on mystery writers. These are highly useful resources when used in combonation. RELIGION For religious biographies please consider the displayed resource. Though it is more likely to be found in a divinity school, most large institutions will own a copy as well. It is an excellent resource for finding retrospective information about American religious figures. The entries are detailed and comprehensive. NEXT SLIDE
- SLIDE 15 SCIENCE Here are two very different resources for science biographies: Dictionary of Scientific Biography is international in scope and retrospective in nature. It consists of three volumes and contains fairly lengthy entries. American Men and Women of Science is a directory of prominent American scientists who are actively involved in their field. The entries make use of a complex notation system and take a bit of time to get used to. SEXUAL ORIENTATION Lastly, for biographies focusing on specific sexual orientations I would like to recommend to you Gay & Lesbian Biography . It is very easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and offers a lot of coverage. This resource has also been endorsed by the ALA. So, very quickly, if I were looking for information about a prominent scientist currently working for NASA should I consult the Dictionary of Scientific Biography , or American Men and Women of Science ? Give me a green check mark if you think I should choose Dictionary of Scientific Biography . And now, give me a red x if you think I should choose American Men and Women of Science . For those of you who chose American Men and Women of Science , good job. This resource is contemporary in focus and would have information about a prominent scientist working for NASA. Dictionary of Scientific Biography would not have this information. And now, let’s move on to internet resources. NEXT SLIDE .