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George Mason University Infoguides | University Libraries
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Dance

This guide provides assistance with identifying relevant resources for research in dance.

Getting Books in Spring 2021

You can search for ebooks directly in the Mason Libraries Catalog, or search in one of our ebook databases. For Fall 2020, some scanned copies of books are also available through the HathiTrust Emergency Access program.

To search for an ebook:

  • Search using your keywords or subject terms from the Mason Libraries Search (or use the box below)
  • From the list of results, use the left-hand filters to limit to "Availability -- Available Online" and "Resource Type -- Books"

Advanced Search

You can also search directly in one of our ebook databases to find or browse for ebooks. (TIP: From this link, you can use the "All Subjects" filter to limit to ebook collections that contain Art & Arts Management titles.)

While the library shelves are closed for browsing, you can still request materials through our catalog and pick them up at any of our locations.

How can I borrow books, dvds, or other items from Mason Libraries?

  • Search for the book, dvd, or other item in our catalog.
  • Log in to your library account.
  • Under "Get It," use the "Request" tab to see request options and choose your pickup location.

If an item is owned by Mason but you don't see a request option (and it's not available through HathiTrust), you can email the Fenwick Circulation team to ask about other options, fencirc@gmu.edu.

Screenshot of Mason Libraries catalog, showing the location of the "Request" button to borrow books


 

How can I borrow a book or read an article that isn't in Mason Libraries?

If you need a book, article, or other materials that is not available through Mason Libraries, use our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service to request a copy of the item.

  • For most journal articles, you will receive a PDF or scanned copy of the article.
  • For most books, the item will be sent to the library location of your choice, and you will receive an alert from us when it is ready to pick up.

When searching in our catalog, you might see a note that a book is available through the HathiTrust Emergency Access Service.

How to access the scanned copy:

  • Click the "Sign in to HathiTrust" link from the book's record
  • Once you're on the HathiTrust site, login in the upper right corner
  • Select GMU from the list of institutions and login with your Mason credentials
  • After you're logged in, look for the "Temporary Access" link in the book's record

This allows you to "check out" the copy for one hour at a time (which can be renewed if no one else is waiting to view the book).

Screenshot of Mason Libraries catalog search for the book "Intelligence of Rajput Paintings," showing the location of the "hathiTrust Emergency Access" link.

Screenshot of the HathiTrust Emergency Access page, showing the "login" and "Temporary Access" link locations for scanned books.

Find Books at Mason

 

Still can't find the item? Use Interlibrary Loan (ILL) to request books, media and articles from other libraries when they are not available at Mason or the WRLC. Start your research early if you want to take advantage of this wonderful service as it can take up to 2 weeks.

Dance by the Numbers @ Mason Libraries

Getting started on a topic? Looking for inspiration? Try browsing the library stacks!

Here are some call numbers for dance topics:

  • GV 1580 - 1799.4    Dancing
  • GV 1783                  Modern dance
  • GV 1786                  Ballet
  • RC 1220                  Dance medicine and therapy

Dance related topics may be outside of the GV dance call number range.  For example:

  • PN1992.77 .H35 2007 is the call number for the Mark Morris Dance Group's performance of The Hard Nut.  Even though this is a dance performance, the DVD is filed with other television programs.

Searching for Books

Type keywords into the box above or the LibrarySearch to find books. After pressing enter, filter your results using the left sidebar.

As you search, remember these key tips:

Broadening Your Search
When conducting a search, it is important to brainstorm keywords, players, and phrases. Different creators will use different terms for the same concept--one author might use the term "dance choreography" while another might use "dance composition."

E.g.) Modern Dance Choreography OR Modern Dance Composition

 

Narrowing Your Search
Narrow your search by brainstorming specific people, locations, time periods, and genres.

E.g.) Keywords related to "Modern Dance":
Martha Graham
Twentieth Century Dance
Free Dance
Women AND "Radical Dance"
African American Modern Dance