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Performance Arts: Books & Special Collections

Covers Dance, Drama, Performing Arts

Finding books

Books are particularly useful for an introduction to or broad overview of a topic. The Library has both print books and E-Books and you will find both by searching Library Search.

Check the tabs below to find out about relevant shelfmarks for Visual Arts  and about the various collections of books available from DMU: 

Books and Special Collections

In the library, books about the same subject are assigned the same shelfmark number which you will find on the spine of each book and listed on the catalogue. Here is a selection of shelfmarks for Performance Arts:

Anatomy 611

Acting (theatre)  792.028

Biomechanics and Kinesiology 612.76 

Dance 792.8

Dance customs 394.3

Dance interpretation  792.8092

Dance therapy 615.85155

Drama (USA)  812.5

Drama (UK)  822

Human Physiology 612

Kinesiology  612.76

Kinetography (movement notation)  793.3

Performing arts  790

Performance art  700

Theatre: history and criticism  792.015

Video Art  778.59

Check the latest books added to stock for: 

Please let us know if there is a particular book or DVD you need for your research or studies by completing this form 

DMU Special Collections comprises the Archives and Rare Books collections. We are based in Kimberlin 00.21, on the lower ground floor near the Journals. We are usually open Monday to Friday, 9 to 5. Contact us at archives@dmu.ac.uk with any queries or see our Guide here.

Special Collections holds various resources which may be of interest to Performance Arts students.

In the Archive we have the Theatre Archive Project, papers of stage designer Peter Streuli and playwright Bryony Lavery, and the papers of People Dancing. There are also papers relating to student performances including some recordings.

In Rare Books, the Art, Design and Architecture collection includes various relevant journals. In the Library catalogue narrow a search by Library Location 'Kimberlin Special Collections' to view Rare Books holdings.

Pamphlets and Oversize Books

Pamphlets

  • Items too small to fit on the standard shelves
  • On the second floor at the end of the main book sequence
  • 'PAM' in front of the shelfmark on the library catalogue

Oversize Books

  • Items too large for the standard shelves
  • On the second floor after the pamphlets
  • 'L' in front of the shelfmark on the library catalogue

Check where you can find Fashion trends and predictions publications online and in the library from this guide.

Library Hub Discover (formerly Copac) brings together the catalogues of over 70 major UK and Irish libraries. In a single search you can discover  the holdings of the UK’s national libraries (including the British Library), many University libraries, and specialist research libraries.  Researchers use Library Hub Discover to save time in their research, to quickly and easily discover and locate resources, to check document details and review materials in their field. Below is a link to the Library Hub Discover search pages.