Arts and music

For licensing reasons, some of our resources are only accessible from computers in particular libraries.

Subscriptions

 

Cambridge Histories logoCambridge Histories Online

Containing over 300 volumes published since 1960, this covers over 15 different academic subjects including literature and performing arts, providing a diverse, up to date and authoritative collection that is a must for anyone researching or studying a subject that has an historical element.

Please note: Remote access requires a login and password. Ask at your local Kent library on your next visit or call Ask a Kent Librarian and give your Kent Library card number. 


Literary Reference Center logoNEW! Literary Reference Centre

Provides users with a broad spectrum of information on thousands of authors and their works across literary disciplines and timeframes and contains:

  • more than 35,000 plot summaries, synopses and work overviews
  • nearly 100,000 articles/essays of literary criticism
  • over 252,000 author biographies and more than 6,600 author interviews
  • 450 literary journals, 693,000+ book reviews, 78,400+ classic and contemporary poems and 19,700+ classic and contemporary short stories.

 


Naxos Music LibraryNaxos Music Library logo

Listen to more than 1.2 million tracks. Select by genre - classical, jazz, blues, world music, pop/rock - or composer. Support materials for GCSE or A-level courses are in the Study area. Also includes some spoken word under the genre tab. Remember to log-out after each session.


Naxos Music Library - JazzNaxos Music Library logo

Listen to almost 40,000 jazz tracks (7,000 discs) covering both jazz legends and contemporary jazz - search by genre or label, or by artist via the Advanced Search. Remember to log out after each session.


Oxford Arts with Benezit logoOxford Art Online

Comprises the full text of the 'Dictionary of Art' and the 'Oxford Companion to Western Art' and now Benezit Online. Includes over 45,000 signed articles, 2,500 illustrations, 40,000+ images linked from other art sites, and 21,000+ biographies.


Oxford music online logoOxford Music Online

Contains the full text of the 'New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians' (2nd edition), the 'New Grove Dictionary of Opera' and the 'New Grove Dictionary of Jazz' (2nd edition); over 45,000 specially-commissioned articles, 20,000+ biographies and 3-D interactive images of musical instruments.


Screenonline

(in all libraries)

BFI Screenonline is the "definitive guide to Britain's film and TV history". You can view and download extracts (for private or educational use).


SearchMuze

(at the Kent History and Library Centre only)

Information on individual pop, classical and spoken word recordings. Search by artist, label, title, track, genre etc.


who else writes like iconWho else writes like...?

This is designed to answer the perennial question "I've read all the books by my favourite authors, who shall I read next?" Simply follow the links to find an author whose books you like, and see which other writers are recommended underneath.


who next iconWho next...?

A guide to children’s authors and an interactive tool to help guide children who have already enjoyed stories by one writer to find other authors they will enjoy reading.

 

Other useful websites

 

Boosey & Hawkes Online Scores

This online catalogue offers free viewing of over 400 contemporary orchestral, opera, and large ensemble scores by modern composers such as Bartók, Bernstein, Britten, Copland Stravinsky Kael Jenkins and Steve Reich. All that is required to view scores online is the complete the free online registration form.


british cartoon archive logoBritish Cartoon Archive

A unique online database containing details of the main cartoon collections held in the archive, located at the University of Kent in Canterbury. Cartoons can be found by cartoonist, publication, date, name or subject. The computer displays the cartoon's image and the cataloguing details.


Dickens Journals Online (DJO)

An open access online resource to be launched in March 2012, as part of the Dickens Bicentenary celebrations. Offers digitised and indexed content to many of the journals Dickens edited or published.


europeana logoEuropeana

"Europeana is about ideas and inspiration. It links you to 6 million digital items: images - paintings, drawings, maps, photos and pictures of museum objects; texts - books, newspapers, letters, diaries and archival papers; sounds - music and spoken word from cylinders, tapes, discs and radio broadcasts; videos - films, newsreels and TV broadcasts.

Some of these are world famous, others are hidden treasures from Europe's museums and galleries, archives, libraries and audio-visual collections".


VADS logoVADS (Visual Arts Data Service)

"VADS is the online resource for visual arts. It has provided services to the academic community for 12 years and has built up a considerable portfolio of visual art collections comprising over 100,000 images that are freely available and copyright cleared for use in learning, teaching and research in the UK".


 

  

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Contact us

Information Services Team

Kent History and Library Centre
James Whatman Way
Maidstone
ME14 1LQ

01622 696438
Fax: 01622 696445

AKL@kent.gov.uk