The MLA International Bibliography (MLAIB) may not be the first resource that comes to mind for circus scholars doing and sharing their research. This essential humanities research tool is better known for its coverage of modern languages, literatures, dramatic arts (theater, film, television, opera, and radio), folklore, linguistics, rhetoric, writing studies, and the teaching of all these subjects. So, it may come as a surprise to learn that the database also includes scholarly publications focusing on circus arts. Indexing for circus scholarship in the MLAIB is most commonly included as part of the Bibliography’s national literatures coverage and as part of its folklore coverage, though occasionally there are other categorizations for it, as well.

The Modern Language Association began publishing the Bibliography, originally titled the American Bibliography, in 1922. Following a decision to expand its scope beyond American scholarship in 1957, it became known as the MLA International Bibliography in 1964. Today, the MLA Bibliography is available online through subscribing academic, school, and public libraries, enabling researchers to find citations for the latest scholarship as well as publications dating back to the 1880s. Compiled by the staff of the MLA Office of Bibliographic Information Services with the cooperation of approximately 100 volunteer specialists called field bibliographers, the MLA International Bibliography contains citations to over 2.9 ...