Reference resources are ideal for a broad overview of a topic. They provide a good starting place if you want to learn more about any subject.
Why? To explore a premier virtual reference collection including encyclopedias, dictionaries, and atlases in a wide expanse of subject areas
What? Encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, images, audio files, and video
Why? To browse nearly 2,000 entries covering the full spectrum of dance including different forms, music, costumes, performances, and significant dancers and choreographers
What? Encyclopedia entries
We also have print reference books about dance on the second floor.
Books and ebooks can provide a more in-depth look at a topic, place, style, or historical moment. You can search our digital and physical collections simultaneously by title, author, subject, or keyword through the catalog. Click Advanced Search for additional search criteria like material type, language, and year of publication. On the third floor you can browse biographies of choreographers, books about choreography and technique, and much more in the call number range from GV1580 to GV1800.
Here are some simple catalog searches to get you started. Use the filters on the left side of the results screen to limit your search by resource type, author, date of creation, and more!
Physical and electronic books and videos about choreography in ballet and modern dance
Physical and electronic books and videos about technique in dance
Articles from magazines and scholarly journals provide a deeper dive into specific subjects. Here are a few titles of interest to dancers:
Also look under "Databases" below for more resources that provide access to articles.
You can find all of our databases in our A-Z List, but here are a few of particular interest:
Why? To find sources within scholarly and industry performing arts journals on ballet, cinema, comedy, dance, mime, opera, and puppetry
What? Abstracts and indexes of periodicals, with limited full-text availability
Why? To discover potential sources by exploring 1M+ records from international periodicals covering the performing arts industry, from musical theater and opera, to magic and pantomime, to television and film
What? Abstract and indexes, with some full-text availability
When? 1864 - present
You can use open access resources from any computer, anywhere, whether or not you have a UNCSA affiliation--they are free to all!
If we don't have access to a title you are looking for, please consider making an interlibrary loan request or purchase request. Interlibrary loan means we will look for another library that owns the title that might be willing to loan it out to us for a limited period of time. A purchase request means that the UNCSA library will purchase a copy to add to our collection.