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Popular Music: From Rock to Rap

Overview Sources

Overview sources are great tools with which to begin a research project. They may be helpful for obtaining a general overview of a subject, and they may also help in the narrowing of research topics and in placing a topic in the proper context.

Some sources, such as subject dictionaries, will provide an introduction to the specific language of a subject or discipline. Sources may cover a fairly broad subject area or a particular aspect or topic in the discipline.

Entries will often include a bibliography, and they may reference additional related books, articles, documents, and other useful sources.

Print Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

Reference Universe

To quickly locate background information on your popular music topic, use the database, Reference Universe.  This powerful tool will direct you to print (and some online) reference sources available in our library system.  For example, type "Michael Jackson" in the search box and you will be directed to print reference sources that have entries on this performer.  Among them, The  Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History with 16 entries on different aspects of Michael Jackson and his career.

Credo Reference

Credo Reference is an online reference library that provides access to a growing selection of reference books. Includes encyclopedias, dictionaries, thesauri, books of quotations, and a range of subject-specific titles from art to accountancy and literature to law (and all aspects of popular music!). Credo Reference generates a network of cross-references that provide an easy-to-follow trail to related information contained anywhere within the library.  For example, search  "Kurt Cobain," "British Invasion and Music," "electric guitar," or "Rap Music" for articles from a variety of encyclopedias and dictionaries.

St. Louis Community College Libraries

Florissant Valley Campus Library
3400 Pershall Rd.
Ferguson, MO 63135-1408
Phone: 314-513-4514

Forest Park Campus Library
5600 Oakland
St. Louis, MO 63110-1316
Phone: 314-644-9210

Meramec Campus Library
11333 Big Bend Road
St. Louis, MO 63122-5720
Phone: 314-984-7797

Wildwood Campus Library
2645 Generations Drive
Wildwood, MO 63040-1168
Phone: 636-422-2000