AustLit

This video helps you learn how to read and interpret an AustLit work record.

AustLit uses a specific type of bibliographical model, with which you might not be familiar. See tips on reading a work record below the video for more guidance.

The video has no audio but has captions at the bottom of the screen. The captions are also available as text below the video. The video can be made full screen with the icon in the bottom right-hand corner. It runs for 1:41.

Captions appear exactly as they do on the video, and are preceded by a time stamp.

---

0:00 This video will show you how to read an AustLit work record.

0:05 The main page includes the abstract,

0:09 and a list of the work's themes or subjects.

0:11 Clicking on one of these will bring up a list

0:13 of all other works with the same theme.

0:19 This page also shows any adaptations,

0:24 each of which has its own work record.

0:35 You can also see a list of settings,

0:37 both in place

0:39 and in time,

0:42 as well as a brief overview of the work.

0:47 To see a full list of published versions,

0:49 click on Publication Details.

0:57 This list includes translations.

1:08 You can also see a list of works about the work,

1:12 including which ones have full text available,

1:19 any other works that this work is related to

1:22 and a list of awards that it has won.

1:28 Finally, you can see an overview of some of the universities that have taught this work.

1:35 To return to the main page, click the work's title.

AustLit uses a bibliographical model called FRBR: Functional Requirements for Bibliographical Records. This model differs from the type of bibliography you see in works cited lists and library catalogues. FRBR records the entire publication history of a work in a single bibliographical record, including all translations and republications.

All AustLit work records follow the same model but some will be more complex than others, depending on how often a work is republished or reviewed.