Litbase

CONTENT

EBSCO’s LitBase offers students and researchers a new option for literary research, supporting full-text access to over 600 current literary journals, more than 425,000 primary sources, 100,000 secondary sources, and hundreds of full-text scholarly journals and magazines. The service integrates access to the MLA International Bibliography with Full Text, with limited overlap. Content includes an impressive variety of historical and contemporary writing, including publications from the African continent, North America, Australia, the UK, and more. Coverage also encompasses works of poetry from across the globe, including the Middle East and Asia, more than 10,000 author biographies, and over 12,000 interviews with authors worldwide, including those from underrepresented and marginalized communities. Additionally, LitBase provides access to 300 full-text journals that are not available in any other EBSCO database. The resource offers a robust array of titles, available to read in their entirety, including works published as part of Oxford World’s Classics series, anthologies, “best of” collections, biographies, and more.

USABILITY

The database’s homepage is simple and streamlined, allowing users immediate access to the collection through the search bar at the top. Basic search tools offer options for limiting results by full text availability, peer review status, and publication date (past 12 months, five years, or 10 years). The advanced search tool allows users to limit results based on publication type, document type, language, literary period, and more. Additional advanced search options include search mode options (such as proximity and SmartText searching), expanders, the ability to search specific publications, and a search term thesaurus. Users with some subject knowledge will likely be most successful when searching, as there are no suggested search topics.

Results are displayed as text-based, short records listing the title, subject(s), originating publication, database, byline, summary, and subject keywords, with links to access the full article or literary piece. Access options are included for items available in full text (PDF or Online Full Text). Clicking into the record provides additional bibliographic details, including ISBNs or ISSNs, abstracts, and digital object identifiers, when available. Full records also include a tab that lists a range of related resources.

In addition to using the search tools, users can access the database through centrally located hyperlinked icons on the homepage. These icons include genres (poetry, fiction, drama, creative nonfiction, literary criticism), featured resources (Oxford World’s Classics, The Paris Review, Cambridge Companions), and teaching and student guides. Subject tiles provide access to resources sorted by geographical location (Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Latin America and the Caribbean, and beyond), or author identity (women authors, LGBTQIA+ authors, Jewish authors, and more).

PRICING

Academic institution pricing is based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to FTE, existing EBSCO subscriptions, consortium agreements, and/or buying groups. It is best to contact EBSCO for a customized quotation for your library. Pricing is subject to change based on royalty requirements, etc.

VERDICT

LitBase is a quality resource that provides access to critical, well-respected literary resources. While the interface favors users who are familiar with search tools and are comfortable navigating text-heavy environments, the breadth of the content is outstanding, making this well worth considering for programs supporting undergraduate literary studies.