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Theatre and Dance: Books

A research guide to finding books, articles, and other resources in Theatre and Dance

Locating books on the shelves

When you find a physical book on the library website, write down its call number, and then go to the shelves.

To use call numbers, read them from the top down.

A label on the spine of a book, displaying the call number PR 8875 .P46 1999
 

For example, here's how you'd find this book:

  • First, follow the alphabet to the PR section of the library, which is part of the larger P section.
  • Next, within the PR section, look in numerical order for 8875.
  • Next, within the books numbered 8875, look in alphabetical and numerical order for .P46.
  • (1999 is the year the book was published.)

Library of Congress Classification

Books are shelved according to Library of Congress Classification. In this system, the library is divided into twenty-one broad subject areas, each of which is assigned one letter of the alphabet.

Here are some noteworthy classifications within Theatre and Dance:

  • GT500-2370 Costume. Dress. Fashion
  • GV1580-1799.4 Dancing
  • MT955-956 Musical theater
  • MT960 Music in the theater
  • PN1530 The monologue
  • PN1551 The dialogue
  • PN1560-1590 The performing arts. Show business
    • PN1585-1589 Centers for the performing arts
  • PN1600-3307 Drama
    • PN1635-1650 Relation to, and treatment of, special subjects
    • PN1660-1693 Technique of dramatic composition
    • PN1720-1861 History
    • PN1865-1988 Special types
    • PN1990-1992.92 Broadcasting
      • PN1991-1991.9 Radio broadcasts
      • PN1992-1992.92 Television broadcasts
    • PN1992.93-19 92.95 Nonbroadcast video recordings
    • PN1993-1999 Motion pictures
      • PN1997-1997.85 Plays, scenarios, etc.
    • PN2000-3307 Dramatic representation. The theater
      • PN2061-2071 Art of acting
      • PN2085-2091 The stage and accessories
      • PN2131-2193 By period
        • PN2131-2145 Ancient
        • PN2152-2160 Medieval
        • PN2171-2179 Renaissance
        • PN2181-2193 Modern
      • PN2219.3-3030 Special regions or countries
      • PN3035 The Jewish theater
      • PN3151-3171 Amateur theater
      • PN3175-3191 College and school theatricals
      • PN3203-3299 Tableaux, pageants, "Happenings," etc.

Search Strategies

  • If you know the book you are looking for, use the UMW catalog.  Use Advanced Search to combine author and title.
  • Use quotation marks to search for a phrase, as in "Ancient Greece" or "Roman Britain".
  • Use the options under "Refine My Search" to narrow your results.
  • The Virtual Shelf Browse will allow you to see what books are shelved near the one you've found.  You can browse the shelves without coming to the library!
  • Sign into the system to request that a book be held for you, or to request a scan of parts of it. 

InterLibrary Loan (ILL)

If you find an item that belongs to another library, you may request to borrow it through InterLibrary loan (ILL).

To find items owned by other libraries, visit WorldCat


 

To place an InterLibrary loan request, log in to your free Simpson Library ILL Account using your UMW NetID and password.

Cooperative Borrowing Program