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Francophone Literature

These pages were created primarily with scholars of Francophone literature in mind, however there are also many resources listed which will be useful to those involved in broader research in Francophone studies. The bibliographies linked to below include both print and electronic resources. The web resources duplicate web information included elsewhere to facilitate web browsing.

For the time being, the emphasis is on North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Caribbean. Nearly all the print sources included were culled from the collection at Bobst Library.

Librarian for Francophone Literature

Jennifer Vinopal
Librarian for French and Italian Languages and Literature
The Digital Studio
New York University
Bobst Library, 2nd floor
70 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012
(212) 998-2522
E-mail: jennifer.vinopal@nyu.edu

NYU Links

Language Learning Resources

NYU Department Website

Collection Development Policy for French Literature

Related Subject Guides

Research Assistance

Class Websites

Tutorials

Internet Links

The links on this page are limited to sites which provide scholarly information about francophone literature or publishing, or which facilitate research in francophone studies. General interest sites, general cultural sites, as well as news, history, travel, music, health, language-learning etc. sites have been excluded. Also excluded are biographical or bibliographical lists which do not attempt to be comprehensive or scholarly.

Also take a look at: Sites with Wide Coverage (Africa, Maghreb, Caribbean, Diaspora, etc.) Africa North Africa / Maghreb
  • Le Monde du Livre au Maroc
    Author: Ambassade de France au Maroc, Service Culturel, Scientifique et de Coopération
    URL: http://www.ambafrance-ma.org/archives/ilparait/
      This site offers lists of: new books of all sorts (including literature), maroccan publishers, maroccan booksellers. Full text of recent issues of the journal Il Parait: Revue de l'association marocaine des professionnels du livre (AMPL). A lso includes the full text of essays on the book in morocco.
  • Littératures du Maghreb (Algérie, Maroc, Tunisie)
    Author: Charles Bonn & Coordination internationale des chercheurs sur les littératures du Maghreb
    URL: http://www.limag.com/
      Includes information in the following categories: L'actualité littéraire maghrébine, bibliographies, documents en texte intégral, etc.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Caribbean

Electronic Discussion Groups and Listserv Directories
  • Franco-Monde (franco-m)
    Publisher:Department of Languages and Literatures. Lehman College, CUNY.
    URL: http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/depts/langlit/french/francomonde.html
      The goal of this list is "de faciliter les échanges d'idées et de stimuler la discussion entre personnes travaillant activement dans les domaines multidisciplinaires francophones (africaines, caribéennes, transnationales et cetera), principalement li ttéraire, mais également des spécialistes en d'autres études francophones artistiques, sociologiques..."
  • POSTCOLONIAL discussion group
    Contact Address: spoons@jefferson.village.virginia.edu
    Subscription Address: majordomo@lists.village.virginia.edu
      Forum for discussion and experimentation rooted in postcolonial literature, film and theory.

Directories

  • The African Studies Companion: A Guide to Information Sources. 4th rev. and expanded ed.
    Zell, Hans M. Lochcarron: H. Zell Publishers, 2006.
    Online Access: http://library.nyu.edu/collections/databases.html
    Bobst Ref1 DT19.8.A47 2006
      Lists all types of reference sources (bibliographies, dictionaries, directories, film guides, encyclopedias, dissertations, etc.). Includes a selective list of major African studies periodicals by country (mostly multidisciplinary). Also lists by country: libraries, publishers, dealers, organizations foundations, awards, etc.
  • African Studies Information Resources Directory.
    Gosebrink, Jean E. Meeh. Oxford [Oxfordshire] ; New York : H. Zell, 1986.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501 .G67 1986
      Directory of resources in the United States. Focus is primarily on sub-saharan Africa. Chapters on: information resources for African studies, resources in church and mission organizations, bookstores, book dealers, distributers of Africa-related materials, publishers.
  • Europa World Yearbook.
    London: Europa Publications.
    Online Access: http://library.nyu.edu/collections/databases.html
      For each country in the world, provides information about: history, political and economic situation, form of government, constitution, etc. In addition, it lists names and contact information for: newspapers and magazines (with circulation), news agencies, publishers, radio and television stations, press associations, etc.
  • International Directory of African Studies Research / Répertoire international des études africaines.
    Baker, Philip. London; New Jersey: H Zell, 1994.
    Bobst Ref1 DT19.8.I58 1994
      Directory of research centers worldwide. Includes contact information, library holdings, affiliations, publications, etc. Indexes for: themes by area/country, international organizations, ethnonyms & language names, serial publications and monograph series, personnel.
  • Scholars' guide to Washington, D.C., for Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
    Grow, Michael. Washington, D.C.: Woodrow Wilson Center Press, c1992.
    Bobst Ref1 and Stacks Z1601.G867 1992
      An excellent resource. Describes the scholarly resources in the Washington D.C. area for Latin-american and Caribbean studies. Describes in detail library and archive collections, as well as organizations. The organizations section includes: research centers, academic programs, media, cultural exchange, etc. Includes indexes for the following: personal papers, artists, library subject-strength, subject, organizations and institutions.

Literature Dictionaries

General Francophone Literature Dictionaries
  • Selected Black American, African, and Caribbean Authors: A Bio-bibligraphy.
    Page, James A. and Jae Min Roh. Littleton, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1985.
    Bobst Ref1 Z1229.N39 P34 1985
      Provides basic biographical information and brief bibliography.
  • Littératures nationales d'écriture française: Afrique noire Caraïbes, Océan Indien: Histoire littéraire et anthologie.
    Rouch, Alain, and Gerard Clavreuil. Paris: Bordas, c1986.
    Bobst Ref1 PQ3809.R68 1986
      For each country, offers a brief history, literary history, brief biographies of select authors, an excerpt of their work, and a brief bibliography of the author's work.
Africa
  • African Writers.
    Cox, C. Brian. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, c1997.
    Bobst Ref1 PL8010.A453 1997, 2 vols.
      Arranged alphabetically by name of author. Each entry offers a brief introductory statement, a longer biographical article, a long essay on the author's works, and a selected bibliography of the author's works and critical studies. Volume 1 also contains a list of writers by country and a chronology of African history.
North Africa / Maghreb
  • Dictionnaire des oeuvres Algériennes en langue Française.
    Paris: L'Harmattan, 1990.
    Bobst Ref1 PQ3988.5.A5 D53 1990
      Covers the period 1834-1989, works written in or translated into French. Arranged alphabetically by title of work, provides brief analytical summaries of the work. Aside from author's name and dates, this work offers no biographical information about the author. Also includes an index of authors.
Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Dictionary of African Biography.
    New York : Reference Publications, c1977-.
    Bobst Ref1 DT18 .D55, projected 20 volumes
      Arranged by country, then alphabetically by name. Signed articles written by specialists in the field. For each entry, includes a bibliography of writing about the subject. As of April 1998, Bobst owns vols 1-3.
  • Dictionnaire des oeuvres littéraires africaines de langue française.
    Pius Ngandu Nkashama. Ivry-sur-Seine [France]: Editions nouvelles du sud, c1994.
    Bobst Ref1 PQ3980.A52 P587 1994
      Arranged first by genre (Roman-récit-conte, Poésie, Théâtre), then alphabetically by author name. Under each author entry, the author's works are summarized title by title. Also contains an author index and title index.
  • Dictionnaire des oeuvres littéraires de langue française en Afrique au sud du Sahara.
    Kom, Ambroise. San Francisco: International Scholars Publications, 1996.
    Bobst Ref1 PQ3980.A52 1996, 2 vols.
      Arranged alphabetically by title of work, each entry provides a medium-length or longer essay describing the work, themes, its place in the author's oeuvre, influence, critical reception, etc. Vol 1: "Des origines à 1978." Vol 2: "De 1979 à 1989."
Caribbean
  • Caribbean Writers: A Bio-bibliographical Critical Encyclopedia.
    Herdeck, Donald E., et. al.Washington: Three Continents Press, c1979.
    Bobst Ref1 PN849.C3 C3
      4 volumes bound into one work. Volume 2 concerns francophone literature from the Caribbean (pp. 261-545). Includes introductory essaies, brief biographical entries for authors, and short bibliographies of their works. Also includes a list of critical studies and anthologies on Francophone literature and a list of selected journals of interest. Note: this work is quite old.

Encyclopedias

  • Cambridge History of Africa.
    Fage, J.D. and Roland OliverCambridge: Cambridge U.P., 1975- .
    Bobst Ref1DT20.C27x, 8 vols.
      Eight-volume set covers African history from pre-history to 1975. Entries are arranged chronogically and by subject. Includes many illustrations, maps, and photos. Each volume includes extensive bibliographies for each chapter and an index of names, concepts, historical events, and geographical regions.

Language Information and Dictionaries

Information about Languages
  • Ethnologue: Languages of the World
    ed. Grimes, Barbara F. Summer Institute of Linguistics, Inc.: Dallas, Texas, 1996
    URL: http://www.ethnologue.com/
      "Ethnologue is a catalogue of more than 6,700 languages spoken in 228 countries. The Ethnologue Name Index lists over 39,000 language names, dialect names, and alternate names. The Ethnologue Language Family Index organizes languages according to language families."
Language Dictionaries
  • Haitian Creole - English - French Dictionary.
    dir. Valdman, Albert. Bloomington, IN.: Indiana University, Creole Institute, c1981.
    Bobst Ref1 PM7852 .H34, 2 vols.
      Permits translation between Creole and English/French. It documents Haitian Creole as spoken in Port-au-Prince and vicinity. Volume 1 includes notes on orthography, phonetics, some grammar, and a 2 1/2 page bibliography on the Haitian Creole language.

Note: See the PM7851 and PM7852 area of Bobst's stacks for more works on french-creole language and dictionaries.

Biographical Information

  • African Writers.
    Cox, C. Brian. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, c1997.
    Bobst Ref1 PL8010.A453 1997, 2 vols.
      Arranged alphabetically by name of author. Each entry offers a brief introductory statement, a longer biographical article, a long essay on the author's works, and a selected bibliography of the author's works and critical studies. Volume 1 also contains a list of writers by country and a chronology of African history.
  • Caribbean Writers: A Bio-bibliographical Critical Encyclopedia.
    Herdeck, Donald E., et. al.Washington: Three Continents Press, c1979.
    Bobst Ref1 PN849.C3 C3
      4 volumes bound into one work. Volume 2 concerns francophone literature from the Caribbean (pp. 261-545). Includes introductory essaies, brief biographical entries for authors, and short bibliographies of their works. Also includes a list of critical studies and anthologies on Francophone literature and a list of selected journals of interest. Note: this work is quite old.
  • Dictionary of African Biography.
    New York : Reference Publications, c1977-.
    Bobst Ref1 DT18 .D55, projected 20 volumes
      Arranged by country, then alphabetically by name. Signed articles written by specialists in the field. For each entry, includes a bibliography of writing about the subject. As of April 1998, Bobst owns vols 1-3.
  • Littératures nationales d'écriture française: Afrique noire Caraïbes, Océan Indien: Histoire littéraire et anthologie.
    Rouch, Alain, and Gerard Clavreuil. Paris: Bordas, c1986.
    Bobst Ref1 PQ3809.R68 1986
      For each country, offers a brief history, literary history, brief biographies of select authors, an excerpt of their work, and a brief bibliography of the author's work.
  • Selected Black American, African, and Caribbean Authors: A Bio-bibligraphy.
    Page, James A. and Jae Min Roh. Littleton, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1985.
    Bobst Ref1 Z1229.N39 P34 1985
      Provides basic biographical information and brief bibliography.

Bibliographies

General Bibliographies with Wide Coverage
  • African and Caribbean Literature in French: Guide to Research and Documentation
    Author: Mohamed Mekkawi.
    Publication date: February 1989.
    URL: http://www.howard.edu/library/Assist/Guides/French_african_Lit.htm
      An extensive bibliography of sources for the study of African and Caribbean Francophone literature. Also includes: lists of Research Organizations and Associations in North America, Africa, and Europe; publishers; literary prizes.
  • Bibliographic Guide to Black Studies.
    Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Boston, G.K. Hall, 1975- .
    Bobst Ref1 Z881.N592 S352n Holdings (1976- )
      A yearly bibliography arranged by subject. Reflects holdings of the New York Public Research Divisions and the Library of Congress.
  • Index Islamicus. (quarterly)
    East Grinstead, West Sussex, UK : Bowker-Saur, c1994- .
    Bobst Ref1 Z3013.L72
      Bibliography of books, articles, and reviews on Islam and the Musim world, published yearly. See the subject index for headings such as "France," "French language," "Women," etc. Also includes a name index.
  • The World Bibliographical Series.
    All volumes published by Clio Press, Oxford.
    Location varies depending on subject.
      For each country, these bibliographies provide broad coverage of all information and issues related to that country (eg. Geography, flora/fauna, social welfare, transportation, etc.). Each bibliography contains information on language, cultural and intellectural life, literature, visual arts, libraries and archives, newspapers/periodicals.
        Some of the more recent volumes include:
        Cote d'Ivoire: DT545.22.D36 1996
        Martinique: Ref1 Z1561.M37 C7 1995
        Morocco: Ref1 Z3836.F56 1995
        Algeria: Ref1 Z3681.L378 1995
        Zaire: Ref1 Z3631.W5 1995
        Haiti: Ref1 Z1531.C47 1994
      Note: Search in BobCat by the series name (se=world bibliographical series) for a full list of titles.
Bibliographies on Africa (Includes North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa)
  • See also the description for the World Bibliographical Series above.
  • Africa Bibliography.
    Manchester, England ; Dover, N.H. : Manchester University Press, c1985-.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501.B54, holdings (1984- ).
      Yearly bibliography of articles on Africa (entire continent) culled from nearly 700 journals. Arranged by geographical region, then by country, then by subject. Includes author and subject indexes.
  • Arab Islamic bibliography: the Middle East Library Committee guide .
    ed. Grimwood-Jones, Diana, Derek Hopwood, & J. D. Pearson. Hassocks, England: Atlantic Highland, N.J.: Harvester Press: Humanities Press, 1977
    Bobst Ref1 Z3103.A66 1997
      Arranged by type of resource. Includes a wide variety of reference resource types. Eg.: Encyclopedias, grammars, biographical info., archives, libraries (including western libraries with Arabic & Islamic collections) and much more. Note: this resource is quite old.
  • Bibliography of African Literatures.
    Limb, Peter & Jean-Marie Volet. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, c1996.
    Bobst Ref1 Z6514.C7 A38 1996.
      Arranged by language of the literary work. Includes a section on French literatures. Further breakdown by country. Includes an author index and a country index. Note: No subject access!
  • Electronic Journal Of Africana Bibliography
    Author: John Bruce Howell, International Studies Bibliographer, University of Iowa Libraries.
    URL: http://sdrc.lib.uiowa.edu/ejab/
      Description: EJAB is a refereed online journal of bibliographies on any aspect of Africa, its peoples, their homes, cities, towns, districts, states, countries, regions, including social, economic sustainable development, creative literature, the arts, and the Diaspora. Includes bibliographical information on library collections / archives, periodicals, and medical/health periodicals and books on Africa. Library / archive information is arranged by country.
  • Writings on African Archives.
    McIlwaine, John. London;[New Providence, N.J.]: Hans Zell Publishers, 1996.
    Bobst Z5140 .M45 1996
      A bibliographic guide to material written about archives and manuscript collections located within Africa, as well as about African-related archives and manuscripts located outside Africa. Note: The concern is principally with documents of archival significance, rather than with manuscripts of primarily literary interest.
Bibliographies on North Africa and the Maghreb
  • See also the description for the World Bibliographical Series above.
  • Bibliographie de la critique sur les littératures maghrébines.
    Bonn, Charles. Paris: L'Harmattan, c1996.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3014.L56 B66 1996.
      Divided into 4 sections: critical studies; collective works and conference proceedings; special volumes of journals; anthologies. Note: there is NO subject access to this bibliography!
Bibliographies on Sub-Saharan Africa
  • See also the description for the World Bibliographical Series above.
  • Africa: A Guide to Reference Material.
    McIlwaine, John. London; New York: Hans Zell Publishers, 1992.
    Bobst Ref1Z3501.M3 1992.
      References to handbooks, yearbooks, statistics, directories of organizations, biographical sources, atlases and gazetteers. Arranged by geographical region then by country. Also includes index for author, titles, geographical regions, and countries. Note: excludes North Africa.
  • Les Années littéraires en Afrique.
    Pius Ngandu Nkashama. Paris: Harmattan, 1993.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3508.L5 P58 1993, 2 vols.
      Covers sub-saharan Africa. Lists by year literature by African writers. Further breakdown within each year by genre. Includes indexes for: author names and titles. Note: of limited use, because of presentation by year of publication.
  • Bibliographies for African Studies, 1970-1986.
    Bibliographies for African Studies, 1987-1993    .
    Scheven, Yvette. London; New Jersey: Hans Zell Publishers, 1998 and 1994.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501.A1 S34 1988.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501.A1 S345 1994
      Both volumes are bibliographies of bibliographies. Arranged by subject. They include brief annotations. Also author and subject indexes.
  • French Colonial Africa: A Guide to Official Sources.
    Westfall, Gloria D. New York. Hans Zell Publishers, 1992
    Bobst Ref1DT532.W47 1992.
      Provides information on political, economic, social, and cultural conditions in the Former French colonies of "tropical Africa" in official records. Organized by type of material, e.g.: general guides, bibliographies, archives, publications of the central administration, semiofficial publications, publications of colonial governments, etc. Includes an index to personal names, subjects, and titles. Also includes contact information for archives in Africa.
  • Guide de littérature africaine (de langue française).
    Merand, Patrick. Paris: L'Harmattan, 1979.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3508.L5 M47
      Covers sub-saharan Africa. Bibliography arranged by author name, with individual indexes of literature by coutry, titles and cited authors. Note: this bibliography is quite old.
  • A New Reader's Guide to African Literature .
    Zell, Hans M. New York: Africana Pub. Co., 1983.
    Bobst Ref1 PN849.A35 Z44 1983
      Covers sub-saharan Africa. A long bibliography section offers lists of bibliographies and reference works, criticism, collections, folk lore, and oral tradition. Part 2 is a bibliography of primary literary works, arranged by language - English, French, Portuguese - and then by region, country, and author. Each entry includes publication information and a brief annotation. Also listed are: magazines (incl. publisher and contact information), biographies, booksellers, dealers, publishers, libraries with African literature collections and an index of all authors, editors and critics.
Bibliographies on the Caribbean
  • See also the description for the World Bibliographical Series above.
  • A Bibliography of the Caribbean.
    Goslinga, Marian. Lanham, Md. : Scarecrow Press, c1996.
    Bobst Ref1 Z1595 .G68 1996.
      Includes sections on historical materials published from the 16th - 19th centuries, and reference materials. The section on "contemmporary works" includes language and literature. Also includes an author and a title index, plus a geographical index for access to resources about a particular country.
  • Bibliography of Women Writers from the Caribbean (1831-1986).
    Berrian, Brenda F. Washington, DC : Three Continents Press, c1988.
    Bobst Z1595 .B46 1988.
      Arranged by language of the colonizing nation. Subsequent arrangement is by genre or type of literature. Has a section on French Caribbean and Guyana.
  • Caribbean Women Novelists: An Annotated Critical Bibliography.
    Paravisini-Gebert, Lizabeth. :Westport, Conn.; London: Greenwood Press, 1993.
    Bobst Ref1 Z1595 .C364 1993.
      Arranged by author name. For each author brief biographical informantion is given. Index of novels, critics, themes, and key words.
  • Dictionnaire de bibliographie haïtienne.
    Bissinthe, Max. Washington: Scarecrow Press, 1951.
    Bobst Z1531.B5.
      Covers books published from 1804-1949. Six sections: works published in Haiti or by Haitians, works published in "hispaniola" and Santo Domingo concerning these two and Haiti, journals of Santo Domingo and Haiti, an alphabetical list of journalists in Santo domingo and Haiti, a catalog of titles, and alphabetical index by subject. Supplement below.
  • Dictionnaire de bibliographie haïtienne.
    Bissinthe, Max. Washington: Scarecrow Press, 1973.
    Bobst Z1531.B5n Suppl.
      Supplement to the above titles. Arranged by year, 1950-1970, then alphabetically by author name. Includes an indexes of titles, subjects, and authors. An appendix provides additional titles published before 1950 but not included in the original Dictionnaire.
  • The Complete Caribbeana: A Bibliographic Guide to the Scholarly Literature, 1900-1975.
    Comitas, Lambros. Millwood, N.Y. : KTO Press, c1977.
    Bobst Ref1 Z1595 .C63 , 4 vols.
      Excludes Haiti, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. Provides information about the people (vol. 1), institutions (vol. 2), and resources (vol. 3) of Caribbean nations. Volume 4 consists of an author and geographic index. Volume 2 (Institutions) includes sections on language and linguistics, creative arts, folklore, etc. Arrangement is by subject and then alphabetical by author name.
  • The Complete Haitiana: A Bibliographic Guide to the Scholarly Literature, 1900-1980.
    Laguerre, Michel S. Millwood, N.Y.: Kraus International Publications, c1982.
    Bobst Ref1 Z1531 .L33 1982, 2 vols.
      A resource with broad coverage of all aspects of Haitian history, culture, etc. Volume 1 contains a section on Haitian culture, including language and linguistics. Arrangement within each section is alphabetical by name of author. Volume 2 also contains an author index.
  • Haiti: A Research Handbook.
    Lawless, Robert. New York : Garland Pub., 1990.
    Bobst Z1531 .L39 1990.
      A selective bibliography of mostly English-language works on Haiti (a few Creole works are included). Limited "primarily to works that are widely published and generally available at major libraries and through interlibrary loan systems." Not included: US government documents, many historical documents, book reviews, newspapers and news journals, writings on the natural sciences. Arranged by subject. Includes sections on languages and literature. Has an author index.
  • Writers of the Caribbean and Central America: A Bibliography.
    Fenwick, M.J. New York: Garland, 1992.
    Bobst Ref1 Z1595.F46 1992, 2 vols.
      Arranged by country, then author. Lists literary works by authors. Vol. 2 includes an index of author names.

Dissertations

  • American and Canadian Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses on Africa, 1886-1974.
    Sims, Michael and Alfred Kagan.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501.S55x
      Arranged by country, with a separate section for dissertations on wider geographical regions. Within each section, arrangement is by subject. Includes North Africa. Subject and author indexes.
  • American and Canadian Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses on Africa, 1974-1987.
    Lauer, Joseph J. Atlanta, Ga.: Crossroads Press, Emory University, c1989.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501.L33 1989
      Arranged by country, with a separate section for dissertations on wider geographical regions. Within each section, arrangement is by subject. Includes North Africa.
  • An Annotated Bibliography of American Doctoral Dissertations on Arabic Language, Literature, and Culture, 1967-1987.
    Straley, Dona S. Columbus, Ohio: American Association of Teachers of Arabic, 1989.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3013,S77 1989
      Arranged by subject, then alphabetically by name of author. Each entry includes a brief abstract and the DAI number for ordering through interlibrary loan or from UMI. Includes author, subject, and title indexes.
  • Dissertation Abstracts.
    Online Access: http://library.nyu.edu/collections/databases.html
      Index to US and International dissertations. Abstracts are available from 1861 on. Full text coverage varies.
  • Inventaire des thèses de doctorat soutenues devant les universités françaises, 1981- .
    Bobst Ref1, Z5055.F69I59
      Organized by subject. Includes author and university indexes.
  • Répertoire international des thèses sur les littératures maghrébines..
    Bonn, Charles.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3014.L56 B667 1996
      Two long sections list defended dissertations and dissertations in progress by author name. Two subject indexes provide access to the dissertations listed.
  • Répertoire mondial des travaux universitaires de la littérature maghrébine de langue française..
    Arnaud, Jacqueline.
    Bobst PQ3988.N6 A7 1984
      Lists dissertations and other university theses written on francophone Maghreb literature from select universities world wide. Arrangement is alphabetical by name of scholar; indexes for author studied and subject. Also includes a list of the universi ties surveyed with addresses and contact person. Appendix offers a bibliography of other dissertation sources.
  • Theses on Africa: 1963-1975, Accepted by the Universities of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
    London: Mansell, 1978.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501.S8 1978
      Includes North Africa. Arranged by geographical area, then by country, then subject.
  • Theses on Africa: 1976-1988, Accepted by the Universities of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
    Price, Helen C. London. New York: Hans Zell Publishers, 1993.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501.P75 1993
      Includes North Africa. Arranged by geographical area, then by country, then subject.

Periodicals and Indexing

Note: Also see Book Trade and Directories page for other resources which list periodicals.

Bibliographies of Journals

  • Guide to Scholarly Journals in Black Studies.
    Chicago, Ill. : Chicago Center for Afro American Studies and Research, 1981.
    Bobst Ref6 Z1361.N39 G83. Holdings: vol 7- (1992/93- )
      Offers detailed information on professional journals in the field of black studies. Each entry includes background information, general information on content and range of subjects covered, submission information, and subscription information.. Arrangement in slphabetical by journal title, with indexes for subjects and names.
  • MLA Directory of Periodicals.
    New York, Modern Language Association of America. [1st]- ed.; 1978/79-
    Bobst REF1 Desk PB1.M27x HOLDINGS: Latest edition only
      Provides information about journals published world wide concerning literature. Use the subject index to look for terms such as: "French literature," "French Language," and "French Studies," as well as more specific categories such as "French-speaking peoples," "Caribbean Literature, in French," "African Literature, French language," etc.
Periodical Indexes
  • Haiti: Guide to the Periodical Literature in English, 1800-1990.
    comp. Pratt, Frantz. New York : Greenwood Press, 1991.
    Bobst Ref1 Z1531 .H35 1991
      Bibliography of periodical articles on Haiti's physical setting, social issues, culture, economics, geopolitical influence, and history. Section III (pp 73-104) covers language and literature (French and Creole). Includes indexes for authors and magazine titles.
  • Modern Language Association International Bibliography.
    Norwood, MA : SilverPlatter Information, c1992- .
    Online Access: http://library.nyu.edu/collections/databases.html
  • West Indian literature: An Index to Criticism, 1930-1975.
    Allis, Jeannette B. New York: G.K. Hall, c1981.
    Bobst Ref1 Z1502.B5 A38
      An index of periodicals and newspapers, as well as essay collections. The same information is provided in three formats: by author as subject, by critics and reviewers, and by article title (arranged by year of publication). A brief appendix lists other books on West Indian Literature.
Library Catalogs and Union Catalogs for Periodicals
  • CRL's Foreign Newspapers Database
    Author / Publisher: Center for Research Libraries.
    URL: http://www.crl.edu/content.asp?l1=5&l2=23&l3=44&l4=27
      Database of foreign newspapers held at CRL. Contains more than 6,000 newspaper titles published outside the United States. Holdings from the various Area Study Microform Projects are included. Bobst Library is a member of CRL and items can be borrowed by eligable patrons through Interlibrary Loan.
  • CRL's Ethnic Press Database
    Author / Publisher: Center for Research Libraries.
    URL: http://www.crl.edu/content.asp?l1=5&l2=23&l3=44&l4=26
      Database of periodicals and newspapers published by various ethnic groups in North America held by CRL. Contains more than 2,000 titles.. Bobst Library is a member of CRL and items can be borrowed by eligable patrons through Interlibrary Loan.
  • Periodicals from Africa : A Bibliography and Union List of Periodicals Published in Africa.
    Travis, Carole. Boston : G. K. Hall, c1977.
    Bobst Z3503.T73.
      The aim of this bibliography is to provide as comprehensive a list as possible of periodicals published in Africa, and to give locations for those titles held in libraries in the United Kingdom. Covers all countries of the continent of Africa except Egypt. Coverage of South Africa is partial and only reflects material held in United Kingdom libraries. Includes both continuing and ceased periodicals. Note: cut off date for inclusion was 1973.
  • Serials for African Studies.
    Library of Congress. African Section.Washington: General Reference and Bibliography Division, Reference Dept., Library of Congress, 1961.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3503.L53 1961.
      Consists of reproductions of cards pulled from the Library of Congress's catalog. Includes information about the library's holdings of these titles. Note: this catalog is quite old.
Individual Journals available at Bobst or Online: A Select List
  • Africana journal. (Formerly: Africana library journal).
    [New York, Africana Pub. Co.]
    Bobst Z3501 .A47. Holdings: vol 1- (1970- )
      Yearly journal publishing articles, bibliographies and book reviews. Each volume focuses on 2-3 specific questions.
  • African Studies Quarterly: The Online Journal of African Studies
    Center for African Studies, University of Florida.
    URL: http://web.africa.ufl.edu/asq/
      ASQ is an interdisciplinary, fully refereed, online journal dedicated to publishing the finest scholarship relating to African continent.
  • Algerie Littérature/Action
    Editions, Paris
    Bobst PQ3988.A5 A444. Holdings: vol 1- (1996- )
      A forum for both literature and criticism, including in each issue short novels, short stories, poetry, interviews, and literary criticism.
  • Etudes littéraires maghrébines. Bulletin de Liaison.
    Villetaneuse, France: Coordination internationale des chercheurs sur les littératures maghrébines. vol. 1- (1989- )
    Bobst Ref1 PQ3980.A2E88x. Holdings: vol 7- (1992/93- )
      One or two numbers per year. Each issue contains a wide variety of information, including bibliographies of new books and translations, dissertations, book reviews, a calendar of events, calls for papers, etc..
  • Journal of West Indian Literature. Bridgetown, Barbados : Dept. of English, University of the West Indies, c1986-
    Bobst PR9210.A1 J67 Holdings: 1- (1986-)
      Twice yearly publication. Articles in English on the literature of the English-speaking Caribbean or non-english speaking ccaribbean literature if the scholarship is comparative in nature.
  • Matatu. Journal for African Culture and Society.
    Gottingen: Matatu, 1987- .
    Bobst DT1.M35 Holdings: 8, 15-
      Covers North and Sub-saharan Africa.
  • Mots Pluriels, et grands themes de notre temps: Revue électronique de Lettres à caractère international.
    University of Western Australia.
    URL: http://motspluriels.arts.uwa.edu.au/
      Refereed international journal.
  • Notre librairie.
    [Paris] : C.L.E.F..
    Bobst PN841.N67 Holdings: 63-97, 99- (1989-)
      Issues concentrate on one particular country or region and offer articles obout the literature, oral culture, theater, and publishing of that region. Also includes bibliography of recently published books and book reviews.
  • Research in African Literatures.
    African and Afro-American Studies and Research Center, University of Texas, Austin.
    Bobst PL8010.A1R4 Holdings: 1- (1970- )
      Note the book review section.

Libraries and Archives

Directories of Libraries and Archives
  • Guide to the Africana Collection at the University of George A. Smathers Libraries
    Author: By Daniel Reboussin (Africana Specialist), University of Florida.
    URL: http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/cm/africana/
      This guide describes: the Africana collections at the U. of Florida, important sub-collections, special collections, institutional affiliations, etc.
  • International Directory of African Studies Research / Repertoire international des études africaines.
    Baker, Philip. London; New Jersey: H Zell, 1994.
    Bobst Ref1 DT19.8.I58 1994
      Directory of research centers worldwide. Includes contact information, library holdings, affiliations, publications, etc. Indexes for: themes by area/country, international organizations, ethnonyms and language names, serial publications & monograph series, personnel.
  • Scholars' guide to Washington, D.C., for Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
    Grow, Michael. Washington, D.C.: Woodrow Wilson Center Press, c1992.
    Bobst Ref1 Z1601.G867 1992
      An excellent resource. Describes the scholarly resources in the Washington D.C. area for Latin-american and Caribbean studies. Describes in detail library and archive collections, as well as organizations. The organizations section includes: research centers, academic programs, media, cultural exchange, etc. Includes indexes for the following: personal papers, artists, library subject-strength, subject, organizations and institutions.
  • SCOLMA Directory of Libraries and Special Collections on Africa in the United Kingdom and in Europe.
    French, Tom. New York. Hens Zell Publishers. 1993.
    Bobst Ref6 Z3501 .F75 1993
      Arrangement is by country; includes eastern Europe. For resources on both North and sub-saharan Africa. Detailed information for each library or special collection includes: name of the Africana specialist, contact information, hours, nature of the library, details about the Africana holdings. Index for names of institutions, subjects, African countries, and regions.
  • Sources for West Indian Studies: A Supplementary Listing, with Particular Reference to Manuscript Sources.
    Ingram, K. E. Zug, Switzerland : Inter Documentation Co., c1983.
    Bobst Z1502.B5 I47 1983
      Includes collections in the UK and the West Indies. Arrangement is by regional area, then town name, then name of archive. Each entry includes a description of the manuscripts; some entries are quite detailed. Index provides access by personal name, geographical region, name of institution. Note: no subject access.
  • The World Bibliographical Series.
    All volumes published by Clio Press, Oxford.
    Location varies depending on subject.
      For each country, these bibliographies provide broad coverage of all information and issues related to that country (eg. Geography, flora/fauna, social welfare, transportation, etc.). Each bibliography contains information on language, cultural and intellectural life, literature, visual arts, libraries and archives, newspapers/periodicals.
        Some of the more recent volumes include:
        Cote d'Ivoire: DT545.22.D36 1996
        Martinique: Ref1 Z1561.M37 C7 1995
        Morocco: Ref1 Z3836.F56 1995
        Algeria: Ref1 Z3681.L378 1995
        Zaire: Ref1 Z3631.W5 1995
        Haiti: Ref1 Z1531.C47 1994
      Note: Search in BobCat by the series name (se=world bibliographical series) for a full list of titles.
Individual Library Catalogs and Descriptions of Collections
  • African History and Literatures..
    Widener Library shelflist, Harvard University. 1971.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3509.H37
      Arrangement: call number listing, chronological listing, author & title listing. Note: No subject access! However, this resource is interesting for its chronological listing of titles.
  • The catalogue of the West India Reference Library..
    Institute of Jamaica, Kingston. West India Reference Library. Millwood, N.Y.: Kraus International Publications, [1980-]
    Bobst Ref1 Z1501.I59 1980
      Old and limited, but potentially useful catalog. Presents the holdings of Jamaica's West India Reference Library, founded 1894. Coverage includes the French-speaking islands, but not as comprehensive as for Jamaica and other former British colonies. Emphasis on English-language works. See the introduction for a more detailed description.
  • Littératures africaines à la bibliothèque nationale: Catalogue des ouvrages d'écrivains africains et de la littérature critique s'y rapportant entrés à la Bibliothèque nationale, 1920-1972.
    Bibliothèque nationale (France). Paris: La bibliothèque, c1991.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3508.L5 B53 1991
      Lists, by country of the author, literature of sub-saharan Africa acquired by the BN from 1920-1972. In compiling this catalog, there was an attempt to exclude colonial writers not born in Africa (see the introduction for more complete description). Primarily, but not exclusively, franch language literature. Also includes an index of authors.
  • Littératures africaines à la bibliothèque nationale: Catalogue des ouvrages d'écrivains africains et de la littérature critique s'y rapportant entrés à la Bibliothèque nationale, 1973-1983.
    Bibliothèque nationale (France). Paris: La bibliothèque, c1984.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3508.L5 F7 1984
      Continuation of the title above.
  • Northwestern University Library, The Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies
    Author: John Bruce Howell, International Studies Bibliographer, University of Iowa Libraries.
    URL: http://www.library.northwestern.edu/africana/
      Description: Established in 1954, the Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies at Northwestern University is the largest separate Africana collection in existence. This site gives an overview of its collection.
Union Catalogs and Special Catalogs
  • CAMP Catalog. (Cooperative Africana Microform Project).
    Chicago, Ill. : Cooperative Africana Microform Project and the Center for Research Libraries, [1985].
    Bobst Ref1 Z3509.C66 1985
      Created in 1963 to bring together in microform a collection of research materials related to Africa for the cooperative use of the members. Arrangement is alphabetical by author or title. Subject access is provided by an index. These titles can be borrowed by eligible NYU students through Interlibrary Loan. Note: these reduced reprints of catalog cards are difficult to read.
  • Periodicals from Africa: A Bibliography and Union List of Periodicals Published in Africa.
    Travis, Carole. Boston : G. K. Hall, c1977.
    Bobst Z3503.T73.
      The aim of this bibliography is to provide as comprehensive a list as possible of periodicals published in Africa, and to give locations for those titles held in libraries in the United Kingdom. Covers all countries of the continent of Africa except Egypt. Coverage of South Africa is partial and only reflects material held in United Kingdom libraries. Includes both continuing and ceased periodicals. Note: cut off date for inclusion was 1973.
  • Serials for African Studies.
    Library of Congress. African Section.Washington: General Reference and Bibliography Division, Reference Dept., Library of Congress, 1961.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3503.L53 1961.
      Consists of reproductions of cards pulled from the Library of Congress's catalog. Includes information about the library's holdings of these titles. Note: this catalog is quite old.

    Note: There are 4 other important union catalogs to consult.
    • The RLIN Bibliography (access available to member libraries) is a nation-wide database of research libraries' holdings. RLIN will allow you to do title, author, and subject searching for titles which may not be held at Bobst Library
    • The Center for Research Libraries (CRL) is an international not-for-profit consortium of colleges, universities and libraries that makes available scholarly research resources to users everywhere. Search the CRL Catalog to find resources which you can then borrow through Interlibrary Loan.
    • National Union Catalog. Pre-1956 imprints.
      Washington, Library of Congress.
      Bobst Ref6 and Microform MF 2512
        A union catalog of US research libraries' pre-1956 holdings.
    • National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections.
      Washington, Library of Congress.
      Bobst Ref1 Z6620.U5N3 Holdings:(1959/60-1991/93).
      Online Access:       http://www.loc.gov/coll/nucmc/
        Lists locations of manuscript collections in the United States.

        Use in conjunction with the following indexes:

          Index to Personal Names. 2 vols.
          Bobst Ref1 Z6620.U5 I53 1988
          Coverage: 1959-1984.

          Index to Subjects and Corporate Names. 3 vols.
          Bobst Ref1 Z6620.U5 N3
          Coverage: 1959-1984.

          Note: For years not covered by the two indexes listed above, use the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections's own indexing; 1985 index, 1986-1990 index, 1991-1993 index.

    • For help with search terms, see Tips for Successful Searching

Book Trade Information

  • The African Book Publishing Record.
    Oxford, Eng., Hans Zell. vol 1- (1975- )
    Bobst Ref1 465.7.A35 Holdings: 1- (1975- )
      4 numbers per year. Contains more social science titles than literature, more English than French. Contains sections on: notes/news; book reviews, magazines, bibliography (with a subject index). Sections on book reviews and magazines have substantial annotations in English.
  • The African Book World and Press: A Directory / Répertoire du livre et de la presse en Afrique.
    Zell, Hans M. London; New York: Zell, 1989.
    Bobst Ref1 Z857.A1 A25 1989
      Arranged by country, then by type of resource. Includes addresses of libraries, booksellers, publishers, periodicals, and printers. Appendices include information on book fairs, literary prizes, book clubs, news agencies, distributers, etc. Also, a subject index to special libraries and a subject index to periodicals.
  • African Studies Information Resources Directory.
    Gosebrink, Jean E. Meeh. Oxford [Oxfordshire] ; New York : H. Zell, 1986.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501 .G67 1986
      Directory of resources in the United States. Focus is primarily on sub-saharan Africa. Chapters on: information resources for african studies, resources in church and mission organizations, bookstores, book dealers, distributers of africa-related materials, publishers.
  • Dictionary of Caribbean Publishers.
    Dianand, Indrowty.Georgetown, Guyana: Documentation Centre, Caribbean Community Secretariat, 1995.
    Bobst Z512.D53 1995
      Provides information on the publishers who are currently involved in the Caribbean Regional Book Trade. Lists of publishers and contact information by country and by publisher name.
  • Le Monde du Livre au Maroc
    Author: Ambassade de France au Maroc, Service Culturel, Scientifique et de Coopération
    Update information:Unknown
    Online Access: http://www.ambafrance-ma.org/archives/ilparait/
      Description: This site offers lists of: new books of all sorts (including literature), maroccan publishers, maroccan booksellers. Full text of recent issues of the journal Il Parait: Revue de l'association marocaine des professionnels du livre (AMPL). Also includes the full text of essays on the book in morocco.
  • Publishing and Book Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Annotated Bibliography.
    Zell, Hans M. London; [New Providence, NJ]: H. Zell Publishers, 1996.
    Bobst Z465.2.Z44 1995
      A rich resource. Bibliography of works on the book in sub-saharan Africa. Covers books, reports, papers, periodical articles, book sector studies, government and official publications, some dissertations, plus some grey literature. Most material is in English and French. Includes sections on: serials/reference and teaching guides, general and regional studies, country studies, studies by subject. Also includes indexes for: authors, geographical region, subjects. Most entries are annotated.

Programs of Study

Tips for Successful Searching

Often it is difficult to search for information in online databases unless you know their controlled vocabulary. For example, you won't find any information in Bobst Library's online catalog if you search for the subject term "francophone literature." However, we most certainly do have resources for the study of francophone literature -- you just need to know how the controlled vocabulary.

Below you will find tips on how to search using electronic resources. Advice is broken down by type of electronic resource you might be using:

Searching in BobCat

Subject terms are assigned to materials at Bobst Library using the Library of Congress's official subject headings. (A complete list of these subject headings is available in Bobst Library's reference room). Therefore BobCat, our online catalog, only "understands" these subject headings, and not other terms which actually might make more sense to you, a human being. Below are some concepts you might be searching for and how to construct a search in Bobcat.

Note: pay close attention to the inconsistant use of singular vs. plural, and nouns vs. adjectives in the subject terms listed below.

Useful Search Terms:
      What you are looking for:Search term to use in Bobcat:
      Biographical information biography
      Literature literature
      Fiction fiction
      Bibliographical information bibliography
      Dictionary dictionaries
      Dissertations or Dissertation information dissertations
      Catalogs catalogs
      Journals periodicals
      Theater/play information drama
      Poetry poetry
      Directories directories
      Critical or secondary material criticism
      Archival or Manuscript information manuscripts

      Note: the term "francophone" isn't recognized by the computer. Use either the phrase "french language" or the term for the country or region you are interested in.

      Country or Regional Names:Search term to use in Bobcat:
      Africa africa or african
      North Africa north african
      Caribbean caribbean
      Haiti haiti or haitian

How to combine the above search terms with other search concepts -- Sample searches:

It is always best to start with broader rather than narrower searches, so as not to exclude too many things from your results. However, don't forget to look for alternate search terms. Eg. for works about African francophone literature, use the search terms "africa" and "african," but also try the names of individual countries or writers of interest.

In Bobcat you should always do keyword searching. The way subject terms are assigned to materials is quite inconsistant, so be as flexible and as creative with your searching as possible. The examples below all show how to do subject keyword (sw= ) searching. 

  • To find bibliographies about haitian literature, the two subject keyword searches below will retrieve different results. Do them both for more complete results:
    sw=haiti and sw=bibliography
    sw=haitian and sw=bibliography
  • To find criticism about african poetry, the two subject keyword searches below will retrieve different results. Do them both for more complete results:
    sw=poetry and sw=criticism and sw=africa
    sw=poetry and sw=criticism and sw=african
  • To find critical material about Ousmane Sembene:
    sw=sembene and sw=criticism
  • To find information about archives in or about africa:
    sw=africa and sw=archives
  • If you know that someone named Zell wrote a bibliography you are interested in, you will combine subject keyword and author keyword searching:
    aw=zell and sw=bibliography

Final Note: Remember the two other very important ways of finding research materials -- browsing on the shelves, and browsing in other bibliographies. Don't just rely on Bobcat. Once you have done some searching in Bobcat and find a call number range of interest, go to that area of the reference room and the stacks to see what other materials are there.

Searching The Modern Language Association Bibliography

The Modern Language Assocation uses different subject terms (or "descriptors") from the Library of Congress subject terms. Keep your searching in the MLA Bibliography as broad as possible, and be flexible and creative with your search terms. To limit your searching to the subject descriptors, you need to type the descriptor word plus the phrase "in de" -- see examples below.

As with BobCat, the MLA doesn't use the term "francophone" as a descriptor. Instead, the term "french language literature" is used. Remember: the more terms you include in your search, the slower the searching will take. Try to limit your search to 3 maximum search terms. Eg. Instead of typing french language literature in de, simply type french in de.

A few useful descriptors:
      What you are looking for:Descriptor term to use in the MLA:
      Algerian literature algerian
      Francophone literature french
      Women writers women
      Caribbean literature caribbean
Sample Searches:
  • For works on Algerian francophone literature, type:
    (algerian in de) and (french in de)
  • For works on caribbean women writing in french, type
    (caribbean in de) and (french in de) and (women in de)
  • For works on Assia Djebar, type:
    djebar in de
Additional Hints
  • Once you find some citations which interest you, note the descriptors used to describe those articles. You may want to do more searching using some of the other descriptors you find there.
  • Find synonyms for your search terms. Eg. instead of just using the search term "gender," also try the terms "sex," "sexuality," "women," etc.

Searching the World Wide Web

For a general introduction, see the Searching the Web page.

Searching on the web can be quite unwieldy. It is always better to start at a site with reliable information and which provides you with links to other resources. You can start your "web surfing" using the Internet Links above.

If you must use general search engines, try to be as specific as possible with your search terms.

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