This guide provides an overview of information and resources available at the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library. Selected print and electronic resources are provided.

The following steps will assist you in the research process.

Step 1: Get Organized

Think about the assignment and what you are required to do. What do you want to write about? How much time do you have to complete the assignment? How long is the paper or report? Do I need any special types of material such as newspaper or magazine articles from the time period?

Step 2: Gather Information

Finding Reference books:

Begin your research with reference books to help you gain an overview of your topic, develop a list of search terms, and begin to build a bibliography.

Click here for a list of selected specialized reference books (available in the Garver Room) to help you begin your research.

Finding circulating books: OWL the library's online catalog is your source for books on Dickens biography and criticism and books on Victorian life and customs. You can also expand your search to include the holdings of other libraries in the NOBLE system. You may request books from these other libraries and have them delivered here in a few days time. Here are some suggested topics that link directly into the catalog: Dickens criticism social classes 19th century Britain Culture 19th century Britain Prisons 19th century Britain Orphans Victorian architecture

Finding books on Desk Reserve:

Click here for a list of books on desk reserve to help you in your research.

Finding electronic databases:

TO FIND JOURNAL ARTICLES AND OTHER RESOURCES USING ELECTRONIC DATABASES
If you need this type of information:	Try these sources:	TIP: There is no one perfect electronic database. The best database for you depends on your particular information need. This discussion of Choosing the Right Electronic Resources can save you time by helping you to match your information need with one or more source types.
Images of Art and Architecture	ARTStor
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION	BIOGRAPHY RESOURCE CENTER	Literature Online
LITERARY CRITICISM	CONTEMPORARY LITERARY CRITICISM SELECT	Literature Online
GENERAL PERIODICALS	GENERAL REFERENCE CENTER GOLD	MASTERFILE PREMIER	e-LIBRARY
OVERVIEWS / COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION	Literature Online	AMERICAN HUMANITIES INDEX	ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA
SCHOLARLY JOURNALS	ACADEMIC ASAP	EXPANDED ACADEMIC PLUS	PROJECT MUSE	JSTOR
NEWS	NEW YORK TIMES ARCHIVE	NEW YORK TIMES CURRENT	NEWSPAPER SOURCE	Historical Newspapers
NEWS/OPINION	CQ RESEARCHER	OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS
ELECTRONIC BOOKS	NET LIBRARY	GOOGLE BOOK SEARCH
COMPLETE A TO Z LIST of OWHL Databases

The following might be particularly helpful:

American Periodicals Series contains articles published from 1741 to 1900 in a variety of US periodicals.

Biography Resource Center contains biographies and articles on Charles Dickens.

JSTOR contains the full-text of scholarly articles on Charles Dickens, Great Expectations, and Victorian history.

Finding Internet Web Sites:

**Remember to evaluate web sites for authority and content.

• The Victorian Web presents an overview of life and personalities in Victorian times

• Dickens Project at the University of California

• Internet Public Library Literary Criticism Site

Step 3: Use the Information

Step 4: Take time to Reflect

Ask yourself: did you accomplish what you wanted to do? If you take the time to evaluate what you did you will become a better researcher.

Questions or comments? Email OWHL Web Team at
© Phillips Academy 1999
Last Update March 13, 2006