When searching for Russian language sources in Vassar's Library Search, and many other online resources, you will need to transliterate the Russian text. That is, you will have to transform the Cyrillic alphabet characters into Latin alphabet characters. When searching Vassar's collection as well as in WorldCat and many other databases, we recommend that you use the standard Russian transliteration table for all Russian language materials. This will ensure that you are receiving accurate and complete search results.
The Library of Congress has one authorized form that they use for each proper name. This can be particularly tricky when searching Cyrillic names that may have multiple transliterations. However, Library Search will redirect you when it knows of a variant spelling. For example, if you try searching dostoevskii fedor mikhailovich, you will find results with the "authorized" name as well (Dostoyevsky, Fyodor, 1821-1881). You can also try a Starts with/Browse search by an author's last name.
Keep in mind that "author" is often used interchangeably with "creator," "contributor," etc. So, the same search tips apply if you're searching for filmmakers, actors, etc.
Our collection includes published works by authors, as well as works about authors (biography, criticism), and sometimes primary source materials like published volumes of correspondence. In the case of Turgenev, we even have books from his personal library!
Enter keyword combinations such as russian literature, russian literature dostoyevsky, chekhov drama. There is no need to use quotes unless you are searching a specific keyword phrase ("fathers and sons").
Subject searches are more precise than keyword searches, but require some knowledge of Library of Congress subject headings. To view some of the relevant subject headings for materials we have at Vassar, use the Starts with/Browse option in Library Search and begin with one of the following:
You'll get a list of these broad subject headings, as well as narrower headings (e.g., russian literature eighteenth century history and criticism).
Follow the links in Library Search to find all of the items in the Vassar Libraries with your chosen subject heading. You can also use this method to find additional relevant subject headings and materials in our collection. When you find an item that's of interest, look at the subject headings listed in its record; this may point you to more great sources. Here's an example:
You can also use a creator's name in a subject search. Library Search may show you additional records with more precise headings, such as dostoyevsky fyodor 1821-1881 criticism and interpretation, dostoyevsky fyodor 1821-1881 philosophy, or dostoyevsky fyodor 1821-1881 religion.
