George and Sherry Middlemas
Arts and Humanities Library
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This bibliography highlights and describes reference materials useful for researching a work of art, such as those that you choose from your visits to the Palmer Museum of Art. This is a list of reference books, databases, and web sites. These titles are not ones that you would normally include in the footnotes or bibliography of a research paper. Instead they are "tools" to help you choose readings well and to understand them. The list is organized by tool-types. Each section begins with an explanation of the type because an understanding of these formats of reference resources can help when your research takes you to more specific topics or topics in other disciplines. The names of these formats are not used consistently by publishers or librarians, nor are the names important. But understanding the type of tool, and how it can be used, is useful indeed. Some formats are:

The underlined items below are available via the Internet.

A quick way to get started on a research project is to do two things at once: gather information about where to find things and start learning about them. It doesn't work well to do too much of one without doing some of the other. So "FAST STARTS" in this bibliography means that these types of resources can give you both kinds of information at once: "LOCATIONS" and "DATA."

PEOPLE

People can give you both kinds of information at once:locations and data. The faculty, other students, and librarians can be good sources. I would be happy to help with your research. See my contact information at the end of this document.

SPECIALIZED ENCYCLOPEDIAS

Specialized encyclopedias are fine places to get a quick start on solving many kinds of problems. They synthesize a lot of other published information in brief articles written by scholars who attempt to summarize the existing literature on a topic. Reading a brief summary of a topic, at the beginning of your exploration, can help you make better choices as your research progresses. The best encyclopedias refer you to the essential literature on each subject (usually with brief bibliographies at the end of each entry.) The popularity of Wikipedia http://www.wikipedia.org is an indication of how helpful encyclopedias can be. If you use Wikipedia , always check the “History” tab to see the number of edits and editors for each artcile. Articles with more revisions tend to be of higher quality. (For amusing critiques of Wikipedia , Google “Colbert Wikipedia”)

1. Grove Art Online.
   Available as a database on LIAS

   A huge compendium of historical information on artists, places, major works, styles, periods, techniques, etc. Covers all of the visual arts. Frequently the best place to start. Be sure to try the “Advanced Search” features if you don’t find what you want with the default search screen.

BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARIES

Biographical dictionaries can be similar to encyclopedias, except that the only type of entries in biographical dictionaries will be the names of people. Like encyclopedias, many of the best ones refer you to some other sources of information. There are many possible biographical dictionaries for the artist that you might want to find. Remember that Grove Art Online has ebtries for major artists. Check there first. If that doesn't work look for a more extensive biographical dictionary. A handy way to figure out which one to use is to search  Biography and Genealogy Master Index(one of the LIAS databases). It doesn't tell you anything about the person, but it will tell you which biographical dictionary contains the information. As a matter of fact, it points to about 13 million brief biographies. Once you know the name of the biographical dictionary you need, check in “The Cat” to see if it is at Penn State. If you find no listings in the Biography and Genealogy Master Index , you might want to try a set of volumes called the Bio-Bibliographischer Index of the Allgemeines Kunstlerlexicon . (The what?) This is an index for artists' names that works like the Biography and Genealogy Master Index, pointing to entries in about 200 biographical dictionaries of art. This index looks scary (with lots of fine print and some foreign words) but it's close to the Arts and Humanities Library Service Desk, where you can easily ask for help using it (N40.A66 PATTEE, ARTS & HUMANITIES READY REF - 2ND FLR, W202).

SEARCH ENGINES

Web search engines can also provide fast starts on a research problem. In fact, in a few short years World Wide Web search engines have become the most popular tools by far for finding information because they are convenient, can be used without much skill, and frequently produce useful results. Remember these important points about search engines:

Search engines cannot see the contents of most databases . They are only designed to find html and similar "pages." They usually can't retrieve the contents of databases such as library catalogs or Art Abstracts or any of the nearly 400 databases that the University Libraries subscribes to. (There are a small number of exceptions to this rule. See for example Google Scholar , below.)

Most web resources are self-published and vary widely in quality , so you have more work to do in evaluating them than you would with other publications. Trade and academic publishers put effort into assuring the quality of their books and magazines in order to assure that they are profitable. Only a very small percentage of web sites attempt those standards. When you use web sites you are taking on extra responsibility for judging quality. You might want to consult a checklist for evaluating web sites .

Using search engines well requires skills that are very similar to the ones needed for searching databases. Because search engines scan millions of items, they almost always return some results even if very simple search statements are entered. But search engines usually have powerful features that are not invoked unless you specify them. Use the most unique terms that relate to your topic and learn how to search phrases – usually surrounded by quotes (for example: “United States”.) Learning to read and shorten URLs (web addresses) is an important skill. Another is choosing the right search engine for the right job. One easy way to learn these tricks quickly is to use the guide posted by a non-profit group called Infopeople. Their Search Tools Chart selects a small number of good search engines and web guides, explains what they are searching, and describes the search features of each. A more inclusive guide to search engines, and what jobs they are suited for, is Noodle Tools' Choose the Best… Try opening the Search Tools Chart or Noodle Tools in one window and experiment with different search engines and techniques in another.) Never settle for just one search. Experimentation is very important in web searching. For example, type any 3 unrelated search terms (frog metal wheat?) as a search statement in Google then change the order of the three terms a few times and see how the results of the search change. Or try Googlewhacking! (It's a sport. Look it up.) Trial-and-error learning is especially important with search engines since search engine companies tend to be so secretive about their workings and features change overnight.

Google is not the best choice for every task . Some new search engines have specialties which can make them much more effective than Google for a particular need. Here are some examples related to academic research:

2. Google Book Search.
   Available on the web as: http://books.google.com/ .
   

   This is a very important project. Google has been working with 5 large research libraries (at the University of Michigan, Harvard, Stanford, and Oxford Universities, and the New York Public Library to digitize books in their collections. Google has also been working with a number of publishers regarding the texts of their books. A large number of books has already been posted with Google-style searching of their complete texts. Usually you can read a passage from the book that contains your keywords. Often you can read all of the passages in the book that contain the words. Even though only a fraction of the planned books are completed, search results can be very impressive for some topics. This content does not seem to be available through regular Google searches.

3. Google Scholar.
   Available on the web as: http://scholar.google.com .
   

   Also important. Uses the technology of the Google search engine but tries to concentrate on reliable sources that meet scholarly expectations for quality. It seems to do this in two ways: 1) By focusing Google on the official postings of research organizations and university departments. 2) By taking advantage of a new protocol for making the contents of a few databases visible to Google. The databases selected for inclusion include a few of the databases of electronic journals that we subscribe to at Penn State. By connecting to these resources, Google Scholar can offer to search the Penn State library catalogue for you or can find an article in one of Penn State's electronic journals. However, it only can see a handful of the more than 400 database the library has. Also, we have discovered that Google Scholar, still a "beta test," is very incomplete. For example, sometimes it finds one article in an electronic journal, but not another – even though both should be available. It is very useful, but don't trust it.

4. Martetleap Link Popularity Check
   Available on the web at: http://www.marketleap.com/publinkpop/ .
   

   If you have found a web site that is of particular value to your research, you can use search engine tools to determine what other web sites have linked to it. This site is very handy for that. Type in the URL of the site you are interested in and follow the instructions. The software creates a table of results with the results for your site in the top row. That row shows the number of linking web sites found on each of several search engines. Click on the numbers to see the actual list of web sites.

5. Yahoo Mindset.
   Available on the web as: http://mindset.research.yahoo.com/ .
   

   This search engine covers fewer pages than Google, but includes a sliding toolbar with your results. Slide it toward "Shopping" and the commercial sites move up in the relevancy display. Slide it toward "Researching" and up move the results "from academic, non-commercial, or research-oriented sources." Helpful when your search topic gets flooded by web sites with something to sell.

METASITES

Sometimes "metasites," which collect links to other sites, can be more effective than a search engine. Good examples for Asian art are:

6. Whitcombe, Christopher L.C.E. Art History Resources on the Web: Asian Art. 1995 - (as viewed 2/1/07)
   Available on the web at: http://witcombe.sbc.edu/ARTHLinks3.html
   

   Selections made by an accomplished art historian. Fairly extensive and well selected. Updated frequently. Most links are to image sets but also to online exhibitions, texts, and other sources.

7. Association for Asian Studies. Links and Resources. 1996 - (as viewed 2/1/07)
   Available on the web at: http://www.aasianst.org/links.htm
   

   Links to texts, images, and other resources covering many aspects of history, religion, culture, etc. for all Asian countries.

LIBRARY CATALOGS

Of course the catalogs of libraries contain records describing the books they own, but note that most library catalogs only have a single record for each magazine title; they do not include records for each of the articles in a magazine. (For that, see "PERIODICAL INDEXES" below.) In addition to books and magazines, library catalogs may contain records for archival materials, video, audio, software, and even selected web sites. With online catalogs, as with any other database, you may need to try several methods of searching in order to get good results. One important technique is to use synonyms, related terms, and word truncation to narrow or broaden your search. Another is to notice the standard subject headings that were assigned to an item that you like, then to search with those headings.

8. "The Cat".
   Available as a database on LIAS.
   

   The Penn State Libraries' catalog contains nearly all of the holdings of the University Park Libraries as well as those of the many other campuses of Penn State. If you are searching for a specific author or title, the "Begins With (Browse)" button is generally easier to use than "Keyword." To find a books or journal on the shelves, you will need the call number, the building name, and floor. If the book you want is charged out, or owned at another campus, click on the "I Want It" button. The book will be retrieved and held for you at a library service desk.

PERIODICAL INDEXES

Periodical indexes are designed to direct readers to articles and reviews in magazines and journals. Each of the ones listed in this section can be used to find articles on a particular topic or by a particular author. Once you select articles that you want to read, you can use the "Get It" button to see if there is an electronic version of the article or to see if a paper copy is held in our library. If in paper, you will need the call number so that you can find it on the shelves.

9. Art Abstracts and Art Index Retrospective
   Available as two databases on LIAS.
   

   This is the most commonly used periodical index for the visual arts (painting, sculpture, graphic arts, photography, decorative arts, crafts) and, to a lesser degree, related disciplines (including some architecture, design, cinema, scenic design, museology, cultural criticism, and critical theory). Most of the journals indexed are published in English, but a selection of other major languages are included. In addition to articles and reviews, individual works on art unaccompanied by text (often gallery ads) are indexed. The indexing goes back to items published in 1929. This index has been divided into two separate databases: Art Abstracts, which covers roughly 1984 to present, and Art Index Retrospective, covering 1929 to 1984. These two databases may be combined and searched simultaneously. After entering either one, you will see the name of the database in a box at the right side of the screen. Click on "Change." Choose both databases from the list and click on "Start Searching."

10. Bibliography of Asian Studies.
    Available as a database on LIAS.
    

    Produced by the Asian Studies Association, this index treats the history and current cultures of East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. It includes extensive indexing from 1971 to 1991 and more selective indexing for 1992 to the present.
    

11. ProQuest Direct .
    Available as a database on LIAS.
    

    This large, general database is convenient for its inclusion of many full-text electronic journals and newspapers. It indexes articles in more than 5000 general interest magazines, journals, and newspapers. Some useful art history is included. (Try limiting a result list to "Scholarly Journals.") The beginning date for the indexing varies widely, but usually only includes that past decade or so.

DICTIONARIES

Getting the meaning of a specialized term often requires a specialized dictionary. There are many which may be useful for Asian art and art history. Here are a few examples:

12. Baird, Merrily. Symbols of Japan: Thematic Motifs in Art and Design. New York: Rizzoli, 2001.
    N7350.B233 2001 (ARTS & HUMANITIES, PATTEE, STACKS 2 - REFERENCE COLLECTION)
13. Atkins, Robert. ArtSpoke; A Guide to Modern Ideas, Movements and Buzzwords, 1848-1944. New York: Abbeville, 1993.
    N6447.A85 1993 (ARTS & HUMANITIES, PATTEE, STACKS 2 - REFERENCE COLLECTION)
14. Hansford, S. Howard. A Glossary of Chinese Art and Archaeology. 2d ed., rev. London: China Society, 1972.
    N7340.H3 1961 (ARTS & HUMANITIES, PATTEE, STACKS 2 - REFERENCE COLLECTION)
    Glossary in Chinese characters and in Romanization, with definitions in English.
15. Lane, Richard. Images from the Floating World: the Japanese Print: Including an Illustrated Dictionary of Ukiyo-e. New York: Putnum, 1978.
    NE1310.L35 (ARTS & HUMANITIES, PATTEE, STACKS 2 - REFERENCE COLLECTION)
16. McArthur, Meher. Reading Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Guide to Buddhist Signs and Symbols. New York: Thames and Hudson, 2002.
    N8193.M39 2002 (ARTS & HUMANITIES, PATTEE, STACKS 2 - REFERENCE COLLECTION)
    Arranged in thematic chapters (deities, objects, and sites). Good for introducing the broader context for each item.
17. Munsterberg, Hugo. Dictionary of Chinese and Japanese Art. New York: Hacker Art Books, 1981. N7340.M78 1981 (ARTS & HUMANITIES, PATTEE, STACKS 2 - REFERENCE COLLECTION)
18. Werness, Hope. Continuum Encyclopedia of Animal Symbolism in Art. New York: Continuum, 2004.
    GR705.W47 2004 (ARTS & HUMANITIES, PATTEE, STACKS 2 - REFERENCE COLLECTION)
19. Williams, Charles. Outlines of Chinese symbolism and Art Motives: an Alphabetical Compendium of Antique Legends and Beliefs as Reflected in the Manners and Customs of the Chinese. Tokyo: C.E. Tuttle, 1974.
    GR335.W53 1974 (ARTS & HUMANITIES, PATTEE, STACKS 2 - REFERENCE COLLECTION)

CHRONOLOGIES

These are lists of events in chronological order – – an easy way to note what else was happening at a particular time – in politics, literature, science, etc.

20. Mellersh, H. E. L. Chronology of World History. 4 vols. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 1999.
    D11.M39 1999  (ARTS & HUMANITIES, PATTEE, STACKS 2 - REFERENCE COLLECTION)
21. Paxton, John and Sheila Fairfield. Calendar of Creative Man. New York: Facts on File, 1980.
    NX447.5.P38  (ARTS & HUMANITIES, PATTEE, STACKS 2 - REFERENCE COLLECTION)
22. Art Libraries Society of North America. Timelines of Art History: Print Sources and Web Sites. 1997. (As viewed 8/13/06)
    Available on the web at: http://www.arlisna.org/resources/onlinepubs/timelines.html

For reference resources for other aspects of Asian studies, and for Asian art sources not in English, see the research guide posted at: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/artshumanities/asianstudies

Compiled by Henry Pisciotta
Arts and Architecture Librarian
Pennsylvania State University Libraries
320 West Pattee
865-6778
henryp@psu.edu
henrylibrarian (AIM screen name)