US Latino Studies Library Research Guide
by Susan A. Vega García

atlases bibliographies, indexes and abstracts  bio-bibliographies  biographical sources  book reviews  dictionaries  directories and guides  encyclopedic sources statistical sources

Atlases (to locate geographic, cultural, or demographic information)

Atlas of American Diversity. Larry Hajime Shinagawa and Michael Jang. 1998. REF E184 A1 S575 1998
Provides information, data, and maps regarding population growth and projections, regional dispersion, state populations, major city concentrations, labor force participation, educational attainment, and more topics on African Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, US Latinos, American Indians, and European Americans.

Atlas of the 1990 Census. Mark T. Mattson. 1992. REF G1201 .E2 M3 1992
Includes population maps based on 1990 census data, including information specific to Latino regional populations.

We the People: An Atlas of America's Ethnic Diversity. James Paul Allen. (PARKS Oversized: Ask at Circulation Desk; E184.A1 A479 1988)
Focuses on racial and ethnic populations in the US; based on data from the 1970s and 1980s.

Bibliograhies, Indexes, and Abstracts (to locate information in books, journals, magazines, newspapers, and elsewhere on a specific topic)

Annotated Bibliography of Puerto Rican Bibliographies. Fay Fowlie-Flores. 1990. REF F1958.A11 F69x 1990
Annotated entries describe bibliographies on numerous topics including art and music; education, language, linguistics, and politics as they relate both to Puerto Ricans on the island and in the U.S.

Borderline: A Bibliography of the United States-Mexico Borderlands. Barbara G. Valk, et al., eds. 1988. REF F786.A11 V35x 1988
Massive tool for locating social sciences and humanities research materials dealing with the borderlands region. Some entries annotated; includes author index.

Chicana Studies Index: Twenty Years of Gender Research, 1971-1991. Lillian Castillo-Speed, et al., eds. 1992. REF E184.M5 A11 C55x 1992
Indispensable index to over 1150 journal and book articles, books, dissertations and reports by or about Chicanas (Mexican American women) since 1971. Includes subject, author, title indexes.

Chicano Anthology Index: A Comprehensive Author, Title and Subject Index to Chicano Anthologies, 1965-1987. Francisco García-Ayvens. 1990. REF Z1361.M4 G37 1990
Massive index to over 5000 essays and literary works about Chicanos. Includes subject, author, title indexes.

  Cuban & Cuban American Women: An Annotated Bibliography. K. Lynn Stoner with Luis Hipólito Serrano Pérez, eds. GEN COLL HQ1507 A11 S76x 2000
Authoritative and scholarly annotated bibliography of over 1500 citations to archival material, journal articles, and monographs by and about Cuban and Cuban American women from the 19th-20th centuries. Includes author and subject indices.

Cuban Studies / Estudios cubanos. Carmelo Mesa-Lago, ed. [Annual, 1970- ] GEN F1751 C986, v. 23 (1993)-
Indispensable, annual hardbound journal presents original scholarship on Cuban and Cuban American topics. Includes thorough bibliographies on recent work in Cuban studies.

Cubans in the United States: A Bibliography for Research in the Social and Behavioral Sciences, 1960-1983. Lyn MacCorkle, comp. 1984. GEN E184 .C97 A11 M23x 1984
Contains citations for social sciences literature appearing in journals, anthologies, documents, encyclopedias and other serials. Organized broadly by topic (education, language, politics, etc.) and includes only an author index; searching for precise topics can be burdensome. Still, a useful tool.

Escritores de la diáspora cubana: manual biobibliográfica / Cuban Exile Writers: A Biobibliographic Handbook. Daniel C. Maratos and Marnesba D. Hill. 1986. GEN PQ7378.A11 M37X 1986
Three short essays on Cuban exile preface brief, bilingual bio-bibliographic entries on numerous Cuban writers in the U.S. and abroad. Many entries provide only minimal detail; bibliographies list works produced outside of Cuba only.

Ethnic NewsWatch (ISU only)
Unique and versatile source provides bibliographic citations and full-text articles appearing in numerous US racial and ethnic minority newspapers, news magazines, and some journals. The database focus is on African American, American Indian, Asian American, and U.S. Latino newspapers, though publications from many other minority groups are also included.  Also includes a publishers' directory, circulation figures, advertising rates, and histories of individual newspapers. In English and Spanish. Coverage is from 1995 to the present, though retrospective coverage of selected publications dates back to 1985. Updated monthly.

Hispanic American Periodicals Index (HAPI)
Premier source for locating humanities and social science periodical literature in over 400 Latin American, U.S., and international scholarly journals on primarily Latin American and some U.S. Latino topics. Includes book reviews. Keyword, subject, title, author access; searches can be restricted to retrieve only U.S. Latino citations.

Latinas in the United States: Social, Economic, and Political Aspects: A Bibliography. Joan Nordquist. GEN E184.S75 A11 N671x, 1995
Specialized focus provides access to social science citations to recent works on Latinas.

Latinas of the Americas: A Source Book. K. Lynn Stoner. REF HQ1460.5 A11 S76x 1989
Bibliographies and bibliographic essays treat topics such as feminist studies, education, health, history, literature, and more, focusing on Latin American women and U.S. Latinas. Using the index is most helpful to identify citations relevant to U.S. Latinas, since chapter organization of materials does not focus on country of origin or ethnicity.

Latinos in the United States: Social, Economic and Political Aspects: A Bibliography. Joan Nordquist. GEN E184.S75 A11 N67x 1994
Provides access to social science citations to works focusing on social, economic, and political conditions of Latinos in the US.

SAGE Race Relations Abstracts (ISU only)
Now available online, via the ISU Library subscription to EBSCONet. International in scope, each issue includes bibliographical essays on specialized topics, and annotated abstracts for journal articles and books dealing with race relations. Important coverage of African American journals and scholarly topics. Broad subject index. From the Institute of Race Relations, London; Quarterly, 1975- . Online issues include vol. 24, no. 1, 1999 - present; back years are available in print in the Reference Collection under the following call number: REF HT1501 .S3x

U.S. Latino Literature: An Essay and Annotated Bibliography. Marc Zimmerman. 1992. PS153 .H56 A11 Z56x 1992
Spirited, often subjective bibliography noteworthy for inclusion of regional and other less known Latino writers. Some coverage of Latinos other than Chicanos, Puerto Ricans and Cubans.

Bio-Bibliographies (to locate biographical information on individuals as well as bibliographies for further reading)

Biographical Dictionary of Hispanic Literature in the United States: The Literature of Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans, and other Hispanic Writers. Nicolás Kanellos, ed. 1989. REF PQ7420.2 K3 1989
Indispensable source provides signed bio-bibliographical critical essays that survey lives, major works and themes of over 50 contemporary U.S. Latino (mostly Puerto Rican and Cuban) authors, with bibliographies of literary works and secondary sources. Mexican American authors not included.

Chicano Writers, first, second & third series. Dictionary of Literary Biography, vols. 82, 122, 209. Francisco A. Lomelí and Carl R. Shirley. 1989; 1992. REF PS3 .D5x, v. 82; v. 122, v. 209
Indispensable series gives long bio-bibliographic essays surveying lives and works of over 100 major Chicano authors. Good coverage of women authors in Second & Third series. Illustrated.

Dictionary of Twentieth-Century Cuban Literature. Julio A. Martínez, ed. 1990. REF PQ7378 .D53 1990
Alphabetic list of Cuban and Cuban American authors and pertinent topics, with long explanatory essays. Selected bibliographies of literary works and secondary sources; includes chronology, glossary, bibliography.

Hispanic Literature Criticism. Jelena Krstovic, ed. 1994. REF PQ7081.A1 H573 1994
Excerpted critical commentary on representative works by 71 major Latin American, U.S. Latino (mainly Mexican American) and some peninsular Spanish and even Portuguese contemporary authors. Includes bio-bibliographical information, sources for further study, and illustrations.

Hispanic Writers. Bryan Ryan, ed. 1991. REF PQ7081.3 H58 1991
A selection of bio-bibliographical sketches of more than 400 Latin American, Spanish, and US Latino writers, culled from the Contemporary Authors series. Includes bibliographies listing primary and secondary sources.

Biographical Sources (to locate information pertaining to the lives and life stories of specific people)

Dictionary of Hispanic Biography. Joseph C. Tardiff & L. Mpho Mabunda, eds. REF CT1343 .D53 1996
Biographical entries on almost 500 prominent, mostly contemporary U.S. Latino, Latin American, and peninsular Spanish individuals. Unusual variety of individuals are profiled, from Sta. Teresa de Avila to Ernesto Zedillo and John Leguizamo; Bob Vila, Augusto Pinochet, Pedro Almodóvar, Julia Alvarez, and many others. Inconsistencies, factual and typeface errors, and misspellings make this an erratic and unauthoritative resource. Brief select bibliographies point to source material; some entries include photographs. Includes subject, occupation and (sometimes misleading) nationality/ethnicity indices.

Mexican American Biographies: A Historical Dictionary, 1836-1987. Matt S. Meier. 1988. GEN E184 .M5 M454 1988
Page length entries give biographical details on well-known Mexican Americans/Chicanos from a wide variety of occupations and backgrounds. Most entries focus on the individual's ethnic identity and contributions to the Latino community. Includes bibliographies.

Notable Hispanic American Women. Diane Telgen and Jim Kamp. 1993. REF E184.S75 N68 1993
Signed page length and longer entries profile nearly 300 prominent, mostly contemporary, women of U.S. Latino, Latin American, and peninsular Spanish descent. Longer entries include photos. Includes an occupation index and a sometimes problematic ethnicity index.

Notable Latino Americans: A Biographical Dictionary. Matt S. Meier. REF E184 .S75 M35 1997
The only biographical resource with an exclusive focus on U.S. Latinos. Entries include short bibliographies for further reading.

Who's Who Among Hispanic Americans. Amy L. Unterburger, ed. [Annual, 1991- ] REF E184 .S75 W53
Brief, paragraph length entries give standard biographical information on well-known Latinos, but with little to no ethnic-specific details on most individuals.

Book Reviews (to locate critical reviews of specific books)

Hispanic American Periodicals Index (HAPI).
Premier source for locating humanities and social science periodical literature in over 400 Latin American, U.S., and international scholarly journals on primarily Latin American and some U.S. Latino topics. Includes book reviews. Keyword, subject, title, author access. Searches can be restricted to pull up only U.S. Latino citations.

Latino Review of Books. Center for Latino, Latin American, and Caribbean Studies, SUNY Albany. PER ROOM Z1361 .S7 L363, 1995- )
Unparalleled source for reviews of recent Latino publications. Web version includes table of contents only; check ISU's Periodical Room for the paper copy of the journal to access contents. Includes long review articles, book lists, publishers' announcements, and numerous illustrations. Also includes some Latin American publications.

Latino Studies: Choice Ethnic Studies Reviews. Patricia E. Sabosik, ed. GEN F1408 .A11 L373x 1992
Compilation of 525 brief, often subjective book reviews that appeared in Choice magazine (a major source for scholarly book reviews) during 1989-92, dealing with "Latino" studies, very broadly defined. Latin American materials (English language, U.S. major presses only) comprise a good 85% of this compilation. Not recommended for U.S. Latino studies.

Dictionaries (to locate definitions of words, concepts, topics and significant individuals)

CLAVE: Diccionario de uso del español actual. 1997. REF PC4625 C53x 1997
Excellent Spanish-language only dictionary provides thorough and current definitions, new vocabulary, and slang. Includes a prologue by Gabriel García Márquez. In Spanish.

Diccionario de cubanismos más usuales. José Sánchez Boudy. 1978. GEN PC4854 .C8 S35x 1978
Thorough, multivolume dictionary of Cuban slang and regionalisms. In Spanish.

Diccionario de la jerga del estudiante universitario puertorriqueño. Josefina A. Claudio de la Torre. 1989. GEN PC4854 .P8 C54 1989
Somewhat dated but useful dictionary of Puerto Rican slang. In Spanish.

Diccionario del español chicano / The Dictionary of Chicano Spanish. Roberto A. Galván & Richard V. Teschner. 1977. GEN PC4829 .T4 G3 1977
Dated but useful dictionary of Chicano (Mexican American) regionalisms, slang, and sayings. In English.

Dictionary of Chicano Folklore. Rafaela G. Castro. REF GR111 M49 C37 2000
Lengthy and authoritative entries on regional folklore and customs of Chicanos throughout the U.S. Topics include altars, charreadas, la Llorona, religious folk art, traditional foods, and the original meaning of la vida loca. Includes a very full bibliography, index, cross references, and occasional black and white photographs.

Dictionary of Latin American Racial & Ethnic Terminology. Thomas M. Stephens. GN564.L29 S84 1989 (Second edition currently on order, 5/00)
Current and historic definitions of racial & ethnic terminology throughout Latin America and the U.S. An important tool for understanding the etymology and multilayered meanings of common ethnic labels such as "Chicano," "criollo," and thousands of other terms. Contains some pejorative terminology.

Dictionary of Mexican American History. Matt S. Meier. 1981. REF E184 .M5 M453
Short but thorough entries define and describe a wide range of Mexican American cultural terms, historical events and people. Includes English- Spanish full text of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Protocol of Querétaro; chronology of Mexican American history, glossary of Chicano terms, maps, bibliography, and (now somewhat dated) listing of Chicano journals.

El libro de caló. Harry Polkinhorn, et al. 1986. GEN PC4829 .S6 P65 1986
Slim dictionary of Chicano (Mexican American) colloquial slang. Includes terminology that may be offensive to some. In English.

Nuevo catauro de cubanismos. Fernando Ortiz. 1985. GEN PC4854 .C8 O7 1985
Dictionary of Cuban regionalisms and slang, with many lengthy definitions. In Spanish.

Oxford Spanish Dictionary / El diccionario Oxford. Beatriz Galimberti Jarman, et al. 1994. REF DESK PC4640 O94x 1994
Recent and authoritative Spanish-English, English-Spanish dictionary. Includes useful "regional labels," indicating in which countries or regions a certain term is used.

Directories and Guides (to locate addresses and information on organizations, individuals, and topics, or an entire field of study)

Chicano Literature: A Reference Guide. Julio Martínez and Francisco A. Lomelí, eds. 1985. GEN PS153.M4 C44x 1985
Alphabetic list of Chicano authors and topics, with long explanatory essays; selected bibliographies of literary works and secondary sources. Includes chronology, glossary.

Hispanic-American Material Culture: An Annotated Directory of Collections, Sites, Archives, and Festivals in the United States. Joe Stanley Graham. 1989. REF E184 .S75 G69 1989
Annotated listing of archives, collections of Latino artifacts and folk art; includes descriptions and addresses of regional Latino festivals and national register sites in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Hispanic Americans Information Directory. Julia C. Furtaw, ed. [Annual, 1990- ] REF E184 .S75 H566, 1994-
Useful source lists addresses and information on Latino associations, awards, businesses and organizations, Latino studies programs, publications, and more.

Encyclopedic Sources (to locate specific facts and information, often on a broad range of topics)

Dictionary of Twentieth Century Culture: Hispanic Culture of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Peter Standish. 1996. REF F1234 .H794 1996
This slim one-volume encyclopedia focuses primarily on the humanities, providing information on various topics in art, cinema, dance, literature, music and prominent individuals in those fields. Much pertains directly to U.S. Latino cultures, especially Cuban American culture. While unique information can be found here, overall selection of topics and individuals included is erratic: interesting contemporary artists such as Cuban Americans Ana Mendieta and Luis Cruz Azaceta are profiled at length, while other current artists of significance have been omitted. The topic of "History and Politics" is particularly poorly done. Includes numerous b/w photographs, a chronology, and indexes.

Encyclopedia of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement. Matt S. Meier & Margo Gutiérrez. REF E184.M5 M458 2000
From Oscar Zeta Acosta to the Zoot Suit Riots, this authoritative encyclopedia provides concise and scholarly definitions and biographical profiles of people, places, events, and concepts important to Mexican American civil rights from 1836-1999. Includes a chronology, the Bill of Rights, the Fourteenth Amendement (Section 1), the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, a list of important acronyms referred to in the encyclopedia, and a basic Spanish pronunciation guide.

Handbook of Hispanic Cultures in the United States. Nicolás Kanellos and Claudio Esteva-Fabregat, eds. REF E184.S75 H365 1993
Award-winning four volume set provides authoritative signed essays on the broad topics of U.S. Latino history, anthropology, sociology, literature and art. Includes numerous illustrations, tables, lengthy bibliographies.

The Hispanic-American Almanac: A Reference Work on Hispanics in the United States. Nicolás Kanellos, ed. 1993. GEN E184 .S75 H557 1993 (Note: 1997 second edition currently on order, 6/98)
Long essays provide detailed coverage on topics such as U.S. Latino history, demographics, religion, art, literature, music, media depiction. Numerous biographical entries, bibliographies; many illustrations included. Occasional errors and missing information that could have been supplied; still a highly useful resource.

Hispanic Firsts : 500 years of Extraordinary Achievement. Nicolás Kanellos. 1997. REF E184.S75 K36 1997b
Vast listing of notable achievements by Latinos in the US; covers many topics. In some senses, functions also as a miscellaneous fact book.

The Latino Encyclopedia. Richard Chabrán and Rafael Chabrán, eds. 1996. REF E184.S75 L357 1996
Slim six-volume set covers topics, individuals, and general concepts important to an understanding of Latino peoples in the United States; emphasis is on Mexican Americans and Mexican American perspectives. Longer articles signed, and with brief list of suggested readings. Unfortunately, some articles include generalizations that are true for some but not all Latino populations. Includes numerous black and white illustrations, photographs, and tables.

Puerto Rico Past and Present: An Encyclopedia. Ronald Fernandez, et al, eds. REF F1954 .F47 1998
Unique and authoritative one volume encyclopedia defines Puerto Rican island culture, concepts, history, politics and political movements, events, and provides biographical information on prominent individuals. Focus is on island culture; little to no coverage on Puerto Ricans in the United States.

Nuestra Gente. REF F1955 .S27x 1998
Biographical dictionary of prominent Puerto Ricans throughout history; includes many black and white photos. Most entries include very brief bibliographies to other sources of information on the person profiled, though many citations are quite old. In Spanish; does not include Puerto Ricans born and raised in the United States.

Reference Library of Hispanic America. Nicolás Kanellos, ed. 1993. REF E184.S75 R44x 1993
Three-volume set provides a wealth of information on broad topics such as U.S. Latino history, law and politics, education, women, art, business, the family, language, music, theater, film, and more. Includes bibliographies and illustrations.

Statistical Sources (to locate quantifiable information on many topics)

Statistical Record of Hispanic Americans. Marlita A. Reddy, ed. REF E184 .S75 S743 1st ed.- .
Excellent source of statistics culled from a variety of government departments and other sources, focusing on demographics, family, education, culture, health and health care, social and economic conditions, business and industry, government and politics, and law and law enforcement, all pertaining to U.S. Latinos.

U.S. Census Bureau
Current population statistics and estimates, plus numerous special reports, mapping services, publications, and information on topics such as housing, education, income, poverty, and race & ethnicity.

Comments: savega@iastate.edu
Iowa State University
Original URL: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~savega/latino.htm
Last updated:  25 October 2002
E-version created: 01 January 1996
Copyright © 1996-