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Your starting point for finding background information, books, articles, and literary criticism.

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" "The library has over a million books (both print and e-books) in its collections, some of which are located in the main stacks on the second and third floors with others being in the basement. On the first floor you will find reference books in Information Commons. Literature and journalism books are primarily on the third floor in call numbers that begin with PN (Journalism), PR (British literature) and PS (American literature). Books on rhetoric fall under a variety of subjects and, therefore, are on both the second and third floor.

Search for books using the library catalog.

The MLA International Bibliography is the most comprehensive and up-to-date database of literary criticism. For more databases see the English databases list. In addition to using critical articles, you might want to consider incorporating primary sources into your research. (See the primary source databases list.) For journalism studies the News & Current Events database list is helpful. It includes both historical and current periodicals. For rhetoric and composition studies check out CompPile (a non-LMU resource).

There are occasions when the library might not have immediate access to the article you are looking for. If this happens you can get the article through ILLiad, an interlibrary loan service (read more).


Database Highlights:

LMU has access to numerous journals, most of which are in electronic form. Unlike databases that contain a wide range of materials, or materials that fall within a broader field, e.g. English Literature or Sociology, journals have a particular focus or subject. For example, there is a Victorian Literature and Culture journal and a Journal of Postcolonial Writing

There are occasions when the library might not have immediate access to the article you are looking for.  If this happens you can get the article through ILLiad, an interlibrary loan service (read more).


The library's media collections have everything from DVDs and LPs to streaming media. Highlights include a full collection of Shakespeare plays, numerous documentaries, new and vintage feature films and approximately 1000 screenplays. In addition to the physical collections, there are numerous streaming video and audio options. If you need a place to watch or listen, reserve a library viewing or listening room.

Media collections are searched using the library catalog.

LMU's Department of Archives and Special Collections (ASC) has a wide variety of rare research materials. From the first edition of Jane Eyre to medieval manuscripts to anti-slavery almanacs to early scientific treatises, A&SC offers opportunities for hands on experience with primary sources, unique research and innovative scholarship.

Everyone can conduct research in A&SC. The department just requires that you make an appointment. Visit the ASC libguide for more information.

If the library doesn't have the item you need, don't stress. We have two services that allow you to borrow from other libraries, Link+ for books and ILLiad for journal articles (read more). You have likely seen the Link+ icon in the library catalog: 

New To Literary Studies?

If you are new to literary studies, the following resources will provide overviews of and introductions to literary authors, genres, terms and movements: