CrossSearch is a one-stop search tool that lets you search most of the informational resources available through the library, including:
As you can see, CrossSearch looks in many different places and for many different types of sources. In one search, you might see results for academic journal articles, books in the library’s collection, films, newspaper articles, and more. This can be a good place to start if you want to see a broad scope of the resources available on your topic. However, because CrossSearch includes so many types of resources, you might find you need to filter these results more than you would in a more specific database.
CrossSearch is best accessed through the library home page (https://www.holycross.edu/library).
Because CrossSearch includes a wide range of resources, it is helpful to use the built in filters to narrow your results to find relevant information. You can filter your results by publication type, date, subject, language, and more.
After you have entered a search and are on the results page, click on "All filters" below the search box.
This will expand the list of filters for you to choose from. When you have selected a filter (or filters), click "Apply" to update your search.
Use the Source Type filter to search for specific types of publication. Some options include academic journals, news, magazines, and electronic resources. If you know you want to find a specific type of source, like articles in a newspaper, this filter helps you narrow down your search to include just that type of result. You also have the option to select multiple filters.
Library databases also include reference sources, which are sources that provide overviews of a topic and background information to help you in your research (like the name suggests, they are used "for reference"). These include encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs, and indexes. They are generally used to find factual information to build your understanding of a topic before diving into in-depth research.
Holy Cross has a number of reference sources available electronically and in print. To find reference sources online, start on the A-Z Database list. Click on the dropdown menu labeled "Types" and select "Encyclopedias & More." Some reference databases are linked below.
A collection of important music reference works, including Grove Music Online, The Oxford Companion to Music, and The Oxford Dictionary of Music.
Encyclopedia of popular music and musicians across all genres and eras from 1900 to the present day.
Encyclopaedia Britannica Public Library Edition.
You can use CrossSearch to find newspaper and magazine sources, or you can select a database specific to these types of sources. If you know you want to see results from this type of publication, it may be more effective to choose a newspaper and magazine database. To find newspaper and magazine databases, start on the A-Z Database list. Click on the dropdown menu labeled "Types" and select "Newspapers & Magazines." Some suggested databases are linked below.
Citations for academic and professional journal articles, magazines, and other publications on music-related topics.
Local, national, and international news, including the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
Current access to the New York Times site, including news, columns and more -- courtesy of the Holy Cross SGA. ** To access, create an account with your HC email address. If you already have an account, there will be an option to click-through to log in.
Date(s): 1880-2015
American and British magazines about film, music, broadcasting, and theatre, including fan magazines. Includes full issues from publications such as Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, The Stage, Variety, and many more.
About DatabasesA database is a collection of information that is arranged and tagged for easy searching and retrieval. Think of a database like an online storage container: It stores different publications, journals, books, magazines, and newspapers and makes it possible for you to access them. The library subscribes to over 300 databases that are available for Holy Cross students to use. Visit our A-Z Databases list to see what is available.
General databases include information and journals that cover many subjects and academic fields. These can be a good place to start if you’re not sure what subject your topic falls under, if your topic is interdisciplinary and falls under multiple subject areas, if you want to see perspectives from different fields about your topic, or if you simply want to find general information.
To find general databases, go to the A-Z Database List. In the dropdown menu labeled "Subjects," select "_General" and click "Search." You will see a list of general databases, with some highlighted as "Best Bets." Some general databases are listed below.
Journal articles in almost every subject area, including some historical articles back to the 17th century.
Journal articles, magazines, and news in almost every subject area.
Subject databases include journals and publications from a specific academic field. They may include a number of different publications, but they are all within the same academic area. These can be helpful if you want to look at one specific subject or field.
To find subject databases, go to the A-Z Database List. In the dropdown menu labeled "Subjects," select your subject area and click "Search." Some Music databases are listed below.
Citations for academic and professional journal articles, magazines, and other publications on music-related topics.
Citations and abstracts for journal articles, books, catalogues, dissertations and other music publications, worldwide and in all languages, from 1830s to present.
Use the Library Catalog to find print books, print journals, and ebooks in the library's collection. Access the Library Catalog search through the library home page (https://www.holycross.edu/library). Above the search bar, select "Library Catalog." To use more advanced searching options, click on the "My Library Account" link below the search bar to go directly to the catalog, where you can search by keyword, title, subject, or call number.
Books on the shelves are organized by call number. A call number is an address for a book that tells you where the book is located on the shelf. Call numbers identify different subject areas, so books with similar call numbers will cover similar subjects. This way, when you find a book on the shelf, you know the books around it are on similar topics.
When you look up a book in CrossSearch or the Library Catalog, you will see the call number listed with the book details. The details will also include the book's location, which tells you which library the book is in.
The Music Library is located in the east end of Fenwick Hall. Music scores, books, LPs, CDs, and videos are located in the Music Library. They will have call numbers starting with the letter M. You can find more information about the Music Library at the guide linked below.