Resources for Biography Project
Materials Available at the Livingston Lord Library
Minnesota State University Moorhead
 

1.                  Selecting an Individual Biography

a.      Internet databases

                                                              i.      Database of Award-Winning Children's Literature—This is an Internet resource that allows use to create your own book list.  You can select age level ranges and topics. To locate this database, go to the Library home page www.mnstate.edu/library and click on “Curriculum Materials Center.”  Then, click on “Internet Links,” choose “Children’s Literature” from the list and scroll down until you see the database.

                                                            ii.      Horn Book Guide Online.  This electronic database is accessible in the same way as the one listed above.

b.      Selection Aids/Bibliographies—Use any of the following for a list of recommended biographies.  These books are in the CMC Reference collection.

                                                               i.      Best Books for Children: Preschool through Grade 6 (Curric. Ref. 010 G478b 2002). Biographies are listed on pages 582-683.  Brief descriptions and grade level ranges are included for each book.

                                                             ii.      Children’s Catalog (Located in a book holder on top of the CMC Reference stacks).  Biographies are listed on pages 338-375.  Brief descriptions and grade level ranges are included for each book.  There are also annual updates available which list the newer books.

                                                           iii.      Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog (Curric. Ref. 028.52 M627 2000).  Biographies are listed on pages 306-365.  Brief descriptions and grade level ranges are included for each book.  There are also annual updates available which list the newer books.

                                                           iv.      The Elementary School Library Collection (Located in a book holder on top of the CMC Reference stacks).  Biographies are listed on pages 362-396.  Brief descriptions, grade level ranges, and the book’s reading level are included.           

c.      Choose from the list on the CMC web page at http://www.mnstate.edu/cmc/Instruction/EECE/NewBiographiesChildren.htm

2.                  Locating Additional Information on your Person

a.      Skim other biographies or collective biographies for children.

b.      Ask at the 1st floor Reference Desk for biographical reference books, such as a biographical dictionary/encyclopedia or famous scientists, etc.

c.    Browse the biographical reference books on 1st floor in the call # Reference CT.

d.    Do a search in FirstSearch in the Biography Index.

3.                  Locating Additional Information on a Historical Time Period

a.      Search for information books for children on your historical period.

b.      Skim history textbooks in the CMC sample text collection, call number Curric. Text 900-999.

4.                  Locating Artifacts

5.                  Children's Magazines

a.      Look up your topic in an index entitled Children’s Magazine Guide, which is located in the CMC Reference section. The newest issues of children’s magazines are on display in the CMC.  Children’s magazines for the current year are at the 1^st floor Periodicals Desk.  Back issues are on 2^nd floor with the rest of the periodicals and are shelved in alphabetical order by title of the magazine.

b.      There is a separate index to Cobblestone: The History Magazine for Young People and the call number is Curric. Ref. 011.34 C673.

6.                  Sound Recordings--Do a keyword search in WebPALS under the name of your person.  Then limit your search by format to sound recordings.

Compiled by Carol H. Sibley, Curriculum Librarian, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead, Minnesota, 10/03.

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