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Individual Databases

Unless otherwise noted, these resources are available at all Chicago Public Library locations and from home, school, or work with a Chicago Public Library card.

Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Popular Musicians Since 1990 »
From Aaliya to ZZ Top, find short, one-page biographies of musicians popular in the 1990s and first few years of the twenty-first century. Published in 2003, this online reference book also includes thematic essays on grunge, rap, commercial radio, and the business side of the music industry. For a broader range of biographies, from sources such as the 9th edition of Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians and Contemporary Musicians, use Biography Resource Center.

International Index to Music Periodicals »
The International Index to Music Periodicals helps users find articles in the strong print journal holdings of the Visual and Performing Arts Department of the Harold Washington Library Center. The index tracks over four hundred popular and scholarly periodicals back to 1874 in the areas of classical music, opera, jazz, popular music and pop culture, music education, musicology, music theory, and many others.
Available at the Harold Washington Library Center.

Music Index »
Music Index allows one to search short descriptions of articles from over 800 music periodicals dating back to 1975. Use this database to find articles on both classical and popular music in the print journal and magazine collections of the Visual and Performing Arts Department of the Harold Washington Library Center.
Available at the Harold Washington Library Center.

*Oxford Music Online »
From scholarly encyclopedia articles to quick definitions, this database is a great resource for people who are studying music or who simply want a deeper understanding of the music that they listen to. Find material from The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (updated regularly), The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, The Oxford Companion to Music, and The Oxford Dictionary of Music.

ProQuest Magazines & Journals »
ProQuest Magazines and Journals (ProQuest Research Library) helps one find magazine and journal articles on a wide range of topics. It covers over 2,600 magazines and journals; the complete text of the articles is available for about 60 percent of these. Included are popular magazines, magazines for professionals of all types, and scholarly journals. The database includes both magazines written for children and those for adults. Titles include American Record Guide, Billboard, Opera News, Rolling Stone, and many others.

ProQuest Newspapers »
Find articles from over 35 newspapers, including both local and national titles. Papers covered include the Chicago Defender, Chicago Tribune, Christian Science Monitor, The Guardian, and New York Times.

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