CMU Library Collections - 1999
December, 1999
Callaloo
[Online Electronic Journal]
Callaloo is a major literary journal that publishes original works, as well as critical studies or works, by African and African-American writers. The journal includes poetry, plays, fiction, critical essays, and interviews. CMU students faculty, and staff may access Callaloo online through the Libraries' Electronic Journals collection. The backfile [v.1-17, 1976-1994] is available through JSTOR [http://www.jstor.org/journals/01612492.html], while more current issues [v.18-22, 1985-1999] are available through the Project Muse site [http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/callaloo/index.html]. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989 - 774-3470.
(Review by Krista Graham)
November, 1999
Gay & Lesbian Biography
[REF HQ 75.2 .G39 1997]
International in scope, this volume includes scholarly biographical sketches for 275 gays and lesbians from all time periods and representing numerous vocations. Emphasis in the sketches is upon the importance of the individual to the gay and lesbian community. A nationality index, occupation index, and a general subject index conclude the volume. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989 - 774-3470.
(Review by Annette Haines)
October, 1999
Encyclopedia of Latin American Literature
[REF PQ 7081 .A1 E56 1997 ]
A useful volume, the Encyclopedia contains scholarly essays on writers, past and present, a variety of subjects pertinent to Latin America, and survey articles on each country. Each author entry includes "a signed critical overview of the writer's literary work written by an expert in the field; a brief biographical sketch of the subject; a select list of the writer's primary works in chronological order and grouped by genre where applicable; [and] an annotated list of further reading...." A title index and a general index conclude the volume. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989 - 774-3470.
September, 1999
Affirmative Action and the Constitution
[BOOKS KF 4755.5 .A384 1998 v.1-3]
Affirmative Action and the Constitution is a three volume set. The set traces the history of Affirmative Action through a chronology of relevant documents, historical accounts, cases and legislation. Volume I, Affirmative Action Before Constitutional Law, covers 1964-1977 and introduces the basic laws prohibiting discrimination along with the early debate. Volume II, The Supreme Court "Solves" the Affirmative Action Issue, covers 1978-1988 and focuses on the Supreme Court Cases supplemented by statements from prominent individuals of the time. Volume III, Judicial Reaction to Affirmative Action, covers, 1989-1997 and details the court cases and comments that reflect the current debate concerning affirmative action. The volumes are available for circulation from the Park Library. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989 - 774-3470.
(Review by Judy O'Dell)
August, 1999
Frame By Frame II: A Filmography of the African American Image, 1978-1994
[REF PN1995.9.N4 K58 1997]
This book is a compendium of films and videos produced between 1978 and 1994 documenting the important work of African American screen actors, directors, screenwriters, musicians and producers, and continues the work of the original volume, Frame By Frame (1979-see below). Original non-theatrical video productions by African American videomakers are also included, but television features or television documentaries are excluded unless they included African Americans in front of as well as behind the camera, and/or can be considered to have broken new ground (i.e.-the Eyes On the Prize series). The terms "African Americans," "Blacks," and "Black Americans" are used interchangeably in this work. Features of the book include an exhaustive alphabetical list of films, an index of Black cast members organized by performer name, an index of Black directors, and separate indexes for Black executive producers, music performers, screenwriters, film/video distributors, and selected archives. Of particular interest are the selected bibliography and the list of African American Oscar Award Winners and Nominees. The descriptive annotations in the alphabetical list of films emphasize the presence and participation of African Americans in each of the films listed. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989 - 774-3470.
(Review by Rob Faleer)
Frame By Frame: A Black Filmography
[REF PN1995.9.N4 K57]
This book is a compendium of over 3,000 films with black themes or subject matter, films that have substantial participation by Blacks as actors, writers, directors, producers, musicians, animators, or consultants. The terms "Black," "Afro-American," and "Negro" are used interchangeably in this work. Features of the book include an alphabetical listing of films, a selected bibliography, and separate indexes of Black performers, authors, screenplay writers, producers and directors. The appendix following the alphabetical listing of films includes film distributor information, which, because of the age of the book, is no longer very useful. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989 - 774-3470.
(Review by Rob Faleer)
July, 1999
Dictionary of Art
[REF N 31 .D5 1996]
Although the generic title gives no clue, this massive set provides a wealth of materials on the art of diverse cultures and civilization. Art forms, cultures and artists that were once neglected are given the same importance as those subjects which have made up the traditional canon of Western European art. The set includes hundreds of well-written, jargon-free articles on subjects such as African art, Asian art, Native American art, Islamic art, Buddhist art, art by women, and other topics only recently recognized as worthy of attention. The Dictionary of Art, which was sixteen years in the making, involves the work of 6700 scholars from 120 countries. Consistent with the excellent articles are the fine reproductions which accompany the text. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989 - 774-3470.
(Review by Beth Macleod)
June, 1999
The Official Guide to Racial and Ethnic Diversity: Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Whites
[REF E184.A1 R8 1996t]
The Official Guide to Racial and Ethnic Diversity examines the characteristics of the racial and ethnic groups in the United States: Asians, blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and whites. The book is divided into seven chapters, including one for each racial or ethnic group, a comparative chapter on the total population and a final chapter entitled Attitudes. Within each chapter, statistical data is presented on Education, Health, Households and Living Arrangements, Housing, Income, Labor Force Population, and Wealth and Spending. Data has been compiled from publicly available sources of information, including the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey and the 1990 census. This book is a comprehensive resource for in-depth data on the growing diversity in the United States. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989 - 774-3470.
(Review by Judy O'Dell)
May, 1999
Reno, Dawn. Comtemporary Native American Artists
[REF N 6538 .A4 R45 1995t]
This alphabetically arranged directory contains brief biographies of contemporary Native American painters, sculptors, potters, jewelers, weavers, basket-makers and carvers. Each entry includes the artist's educational background, awards, gallery representation, and a statement of the artist's intent. Many entries are accompanied by small black and white photographs of the artwork. The directory also provides indexes to type of artwork, gallery, and tribal affiliation. Although far from exhaustive, the author believes this text supplies readers with the most comprehensive information on contemporary Native American artists available to date. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989 - 774-3470.
April, 1999
World Music: The Rough Guide
[REF ML 3545 .W66 1994t]
This reference book provides introductory essays on 70 genres of current popular and folk music from around the globe. Sixty experts have contributed, and each article is followed by reviews of recommended CDs. This is an excellent way to learn about the music of other cultures. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989 - 774-3470.
(Review by Beth Macleod)
March, 1999
Racial and Ethnic Tensions in American Communities: Poverty, Inequality, and Discrimination
[GOV DOCS CR 1.2: R 11/3]
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights reports on the civil rights issues affecting the Latino community in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of Washington, D.C., following the riot of May 5, 1991. The "findings and recommendations, particularly with respect to police misconduct and the lack of bilingual services in critical areas such as health, social services, education, and criminal justice, will likely apply to other localities across the Nation." For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989 - 774-3470.
(Review by Dave Shirley)
February, 1999
The Essential Black Literature Guide
[REF PN 841 .V35 1995t]
Alphabetically arranged, this volume, "published in association with the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture," includes relatively brief entries on the lives of over 200 writers, synopses of major literary works, and essays on themes, subjects, movements, terms, and genres important in black literature. The work concludes with a chronology of important events in black American history, a list of recommended readings, and an index. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989 - 774-3470.
January, 1999
Notable Asian Americans[REF E184.O6 N67 1995]
Notable Black American Women [REF E185.96 N68 1992]
Notable Hispanic American Women [REF E184.S75 N68 1993]
Notable Native Americans [REF E89.N67 1995]
This series of reference books provides biographical and bibliographical information on a selection of historical and contemporary minority figures. Each entry consists of a signed narrative essay, plus a list of additional reference sources. All entries are indexed by occupation and ethnicity, and a subject index to other individuals, organizations, and movements is included in each volume. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989 - 774-3470.