Biographical
Resources
Jamie Winchell
LIS 704
November 10, 2012
Common reference questions:
•  Where were they born?
•  How old are they?
•  How many times were they married?
•  How many children do they have?
•  and so many more...
Answering questions about
well-known people
•  Indexes
•  Biographies of Contemporary People
•  Retrospective Biography
•  One-Volume Biographical Dictionary
•  Obituaries
•  Subject-based Biographical Tools
•  Biographical Resources featuring Ethnic/
Cultural Heritage
Types of Biographical
Resources
Explore the biographical resources on the back
tables. Label the type(s) on your handout.
Biographical Resources
HUNT!
Discussiontitle type of biographical resource
Barack Obama: The Story
Before They Were Famous: How Seven
Artists Got Their Start
Black Pioneers of Science and Invention
Marilyn Monroe: The Final Years
More than Petticoats: Remarkable Illinois
Women
The New Biographical Dictionary of Film
Remember Me When I’m Gone
Tales of Famous Americans
Women Building Chicago: 1790-1990
Disclaimer
*note: all resources used in this assignment are
circulating (via Oak Park Public Library).
Many high-quality biographical resources are
stored in the Reference section, some of
which might be the most appropriate
resources to use when helping a patron with
a query about a well-known person.
Dewey
Biographical Resources can be found in these DDC
designations:
•  920-928 Biography (shelved alphabetically by subject's
last name)
Evaluating biographical
resources
•  scope
•  accuracy
•  length of entry
•  criteria for inclusion
•  audience
•  authority
•  frequency of updates
•  photo
•  references for further reading
Top 10 Biographical
Resources &
Recommended Free
Websites
handout with links available on our 704
dom.edu/mydu coursepage.

Biographical resources

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Common reference questions: • Where were they born? •  How old are they? •  How many times were they married? •  How many children do they have? •  and so many more... Answering questions about well-known people
  • 3.
    •  Indexes •  Biographiesof Contemporary People •  Retrospective Biography •  One-Volume Biographical Dictionary •  Obituaries •  Subject-based Biographical Tools •  Biographical Resources featuring Ethnic/ Cultural Heritage Types of Biographical Resources
  • 4.
    Explore the biographicalresources on the back tables. Label the type(s) on your handout. Biographical Resources HUNT!
  • 5.
    Discussiontitle type ofbiographical resource Barack Obama: The Story Before They Were Famous: How Seven Artists Got Their Start Black Pioneers of Science and Invention Marilyn Monroe: The Final Years More than Petticoats: Remarkable Illinois Women The New Biographical Dictionary of Film Remember Me When I’m Gone Tales of Famous Americans Women Building Chicago: 1790-1990
  • 6.
    Disclaimer *note: all resourcesused in this assignment are circulating (via Oak Park Public Library). Many high-quality biographical resources are stored in the Reference section, some of which might be the most appropriate resources to use when helping a patron with a query about a well-known person.
  • 7.
    Dewey Biographical Resources canbe found in these DDC designations: •  920-928 Biography (shelved alphabetically by subject's last name)
  • 8.
    Evaluating biographical resources •  scope • accuracy •  length of entry •  criteria for inclusion •  audience •  authority •  frequency of updates •  photo •  references for further reading
  • 9.
    Top 10 Biographical Resources& Recommended Free Websites handout with links available on our 704 dom.edu/mydu coursepage.