Look for criticism on the work in both the circulating and reference sections. Reference materials have an "R" in front of the call number and cannot be checked out.

When searching for criticism on the online catalog, the easiest way is to do a subject search. From the main menu, click Subject, type the writer’s last name, space, then first name, and click "Search".

Example: Hughes, Langston

You will see a list of subject headings. Choose the heading for "criticism and interpretation."  Depending on your topic, some of the other headings may also be helpful.  For more information on using the catalog for literature assignments, refer to the pathfinder "Locating Literary Criticism with the Birmingham Public Library Catalog."

You can find journal articles in a number of ways.

You may search for journal articles using print indexes which are located on the index tables.  When you find a citation that sounds promising, look up the title of the journal in the red binders on the index tables.  If the title appears in the list, the library subscribes to it.  In the red binder, "Shelf" indicates it will be shelved alphabetically on the two rows to the left of the current periodicals. "Film" and "Fiche" are stored in the metal file cabinets to the right of the PC’s.

Another method is to search the online databases such as Literature Resource Center and Literary Reference Center.