Search the library catalogue, QCAT, to find books of criticism, biographies, bibliographies, concordances, literary glossaries, dictionaries, and encyclopedias on literary works.
Do an Author search to find books by a literary author, e.g. Tolkien
tolkien j r r (within author)
Do a Subject search for find books about a literary author, e.g. Tolkien
tolkien j r r (within subject heading)
Note that when referring to specific people, subject headings often include birth and death dates.
Subject headings allow you to search the library catalogue for resources on a particular author or topic and are often more productive than keyword searches.
Keyword searches work best if you have multiple concepts or topics. Use the results to find relevant titles and identify assigned subject headings for your topic in order to find similar books.
Start with the broad subject heading, Tolkien J R R and then browse the subheadings
Tolkien J R R (John Ronald Reuel) 1892-1973
Tolkien J R R (John Ronald Reuel) 1890-1973--Bibliography
Tolkien J R R (John Ronald Reuel) 1892-1973--Characters
Tolkien J R R (John Ronald Reuel) 1892-1973--Criticism and interpretation
To find critical writings about a specific work, you can search QCAT by either keyword or subject heading. For example:
To find criticisms on a specific work, seach QCAT by keyword:
tolkien and "two towers" and criticism
or, search by subject heading (Tolkien) and look at hits retrieved under the subject heading (Tolkien J R R) and specific subdivisions.
Tolkien J R R (John Ronald Reuel) 1892-1973
Tolkien J R R (John Ronald Reuel) 1890-1973--Criticism and intrepretation
Tolkien J R R (John Ronald Reuel) 1892-1973. Lord of the Rings
Tolkien J R R (John Ronald Reuel) 1892-1973. Two Towers
To find books concerning a particular mode or genre in a particular language or period, search the mode or genre by subject heading. This will give you a list of more specific subject headings from which you can choose. Some examples include:
Anglo-Saxon literature
Christian literature
Christian poetry, English (Old)
Civilization, Anglo-Saxon in literature
Civilization, Medieval in literature
Dragons in literature
English language--Old English, ca. 450-1100
English literature--Old English, ca. 450-1100
English literature--Old English, ca. 450-1100--Criticism, Textual
English literature--Old English, ca. 450-1100--History and criticism
English poetry--Old English, ca. 450-1100
Epic poetry, English (Old)
Other useful subheadings:
Apocalyptic literature
Bible in literature
Heroes in literature
Manuscripts, English (Old)
Monsters in literature
Mythology, Anglo-Saxon
Mythology, Germanic
Mythology, Norse
Violence in literature
Once you have found call numbers for a few promising books, go to the stacks, where you will find other related titles.
Search Beowulf as a subject to find resources in the library catalogue.
Beowulf
Beowulf--Adaptions
Beowulf--Bibliography
Beowulf--Concordances
Beowulf--Criticism and interpretation
Beowulf--Criticism textual
Beowulf--Handbooks, manuals, etc.
Beowulf--History and criticism
Beowulf--Manuscripts
Selected subject headings for an overview of the historical period include:
Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxons--History
Anglo-Saxons--Intellectual life
Anglo Saxons--Kings and rulers
Anglo-Saxons--Politics and government
Anglo-Saxons--Social life and customs
Tenth century
Eleventh century
Great Britain--History--Anglo-Saxon
period, 449-1066
Great Britain--History--To 1066
Great Britain--Social life and customs--To
1066
Great Britain--Social life and customs--
17th century
Social history--Medieval, 500-
1500
Browsing the library shelves is another strategy for locating information on a topic.
Most books related to Beowulf are located in the call number range PR1580-1585 on the 4th floor of Stauffer Library.
For Tolkien, most books are classed as PR6039.O32 and located on the 4th floor.