LibGuides: Theatre Design: Finding Books

Finding Books and Plays

The MSU Library Catalog is your first stop when searching for books owned by MSU.

Keep in mind that the catalog searches all of the MSU Library's holdings, including those at the main library and branch libraries on and off campus, as well as the state Library of Michigan. You can also search for videos, CDs, and print journals here as well.

Play Index This link opens in a new window
Play Index searches over 30,000 plays written from Antiquity to the present and published from 1949 to the present in the convenient electronic form that patrons prefer. An invaluable aid to finding the perfect plays, Play Index covers a wide range of plays written in or translated into English, including mysteries, pageants, plays in verse, puppet performances, radio and television plays, and classic drama. Search for plays by title; author; subject (sisters, culture conflict, marriage); style (symbolism, experimental theater); genre (comedy, melodrama, musical); cast type.
New Play Exchange This link opens in a new window
The New Play Exchange ® (NPX) is the world's largest digital library of scripts by living writers. The NPX, a National New Play Network program, is flipping the script on the ways in which new work is shared and discovered. National New Play Network (NNPN) is an alliance of professional theaters that collaborate in innovative ways to develop, produce, and extend the life of new plays.

The Book I Need Isn't Available

If the book you're looking for has been checked out, or if the library doesn't own it, you have several options for getting it:

UBorrow: This searches other libraries within the Big Ten Academic Alliance. This is your fastest option; books generally arrive within 3-5 business days.
MeLCAT: This searches over 450 libraries across the state of Michigan. Requests through MeLCAT can take 1-2 weeks for delivery.
ILLiad: This searches libraries across the country. Requests through ILLiad can take anywhere between 3-14 business days, so be sure to submit your requests with plenty of time.

Any books that you request through UBorrow, MeLCAT, or ILLiad can be delivered to the Patron Services Desk at the Main Library, where it will be waiting for you for pick up!

Using SearchPlus

You can search for books, as well as journal articles, using the library's SearchPlus. You can use the filters on the left side of the screen to narrow your search to books, articles, magazines, and more.

MSU Libraries

Research Guides

Theatre Design: Finding Books

Finding Books and Plays

The Book I Need Isn't Available

Using SearchPlus