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Internet resources for women’s studies

Mary Glazier is reference/instruction librarian at the State University of New York at Buffalo; e-mail: mglazier@ubvm.cc.buffalo.edu

As an interdisciplinary field, women’s stud- ies necessarily crosses into a wide number of overlapping subject areas. Though these distinctions were not always easy to make, I have undertaken the compilation of an intro- ductory guide as a way of presenting sources that deal with the general relationship of women to various disciplines or that present women’s perspectives on specific cultural in- stitutions.

The following list of electronic resources for women’s studies was created through the use of gophers, Archie, Veronica, and OPACs. Resources are divided into discussion groups (listservs precede Usenet groups), electronic journals, OPACs, electronic texts, fee-based services, gopher sites, and other resources indispensable for identifying listservs in any given subject area. It is my hope that, with the following resources as a starting point, women will be able to pursue their own interests and identify sources of information specific to their needs and that this guide will highlight areas where resources are needed (such as electronic journals) so that complete access to women’s studies resources can become a reality.

Electronic mail discussion groups (listservs)

The following is a selective list of listservs on general topics relevant to women’s studies. Generally, to subscribe, one should send the message “Subscribe firstname lastname” to the address indicated after “Subscribe.”

• EDUCOM-W is a moderated list to facilitate discussion of issues in technology and education that are of interest to women. Subscribe: LISTSERV@BITNIC.EDUCOM.EDU.

• FEMAIL is a moderated list which provides a shared communication channel for feminists around the world. Women and men are welcome to join. Subscribe: FEMAIL-REQUEST @LUCERNE.ENG.SUN.COM.

• FEMECON-L is a listserv for feminist economists. A source of information and answers to questions on economics with feminist perspectives. Subscribe: LISTSERV@BUCKNELL. EDU.

• FEMINISM-DIGEST. Issues of feminist organization, experience, and philosophy are discussed. This is a collation of the articles that appear on Usenet’s SOC.FEMINISM list, sent out about once a week. Subscribe: Feminism- Digest@NCAR.UCAR.EDU.

• FEMINIST, owned by the Feminist Task Force of ALA, offers discussions of issues such as sexism, racism, and ethnic diversity in librarianship and pornography, censorship, and intellectual freedom in libraries. Subscribe: LISTSERV@MITVMA.MIT.EDU

• FEMISA is a discussion of feminism, gender, women’s international relations, world politics, the international political economy, and global politics. One of the purposes of the list is the exchange of documents (course outlines, articles, etc.) related to its topics. Subscribe: LISTSERV@CSF.COLORADO.EDU.

• FEMREL-L is a list providing a great deal of conversation about women, religion, and feminist theology. Subscribe: LISTSERV@ UMCVMB.BITNET.

• FIST (feminism in science and technology) is an unmoderated list for discussion of feminism and science and technology. Subscribe: LISTSERV@DAWN.HAMPSHIRE.EDU.

• GENDER is a moderated list devoted especially to discussion of issues pertaining to the study of communication and gender. Subscribe: COMSERVE@RPITSVM.

• H-WOMEN is an international forum for scholars and teachers of women’s history. Subscribe: LISTSERV@UICVM.BITNET.

• KOL-ISHA is a moderated list for questions and issues concerning women’s roles in Judaism. Subscribe: LISTSERV@ISRAEL. NYSERNET.ORG.

• MEDFEM-L is a list for feminist medievalists. Subscribe: LISTSERV‹ãUWAVM.U. WASHINGTON.EDU.

• SWIP-L is an information and discussion list for Society for Women in Philosophy members and others interested in feminist philosophy. Subscribe: HSTSERV@CFRVM.CFR.USF.EDU.

• SYSTERS provides a forum for female computer scientists for the exchange of research and career information. Contact Anita Borg at SYSTERS-REQUEST@DECWRL.DEC.COM.

• WIM-L (Women’s Issues in Music Librari- anship). Contact Laura Gayle Green at LGREEN@IUBVM.BITNET.

• WIPHYS is a moderated list for issues of concern to women in physics. Subscribe: LISTSERV@NYSERNET.ORG.

• W1SENET is a list for women in science, mathematics, and engineering. Subscribe: LISTSERV@UICVM.UIC.EDU.

• WMN-HLTH (women’s health electronic news-line) was started by the Center for Women’s Health Research. Subscribe: LISTSERV@UMDD.UMD.EDU.

• WMST-L serves academic and professional needs of people involved in women’s studies teaching, research, libraries, and programs. Subscribe: LISTSERV@UMDD.UMD.EDU.

• WOMEN is a general purpose list for all women’s groups and areas of interest for women and their friends. Subscribe: WOMEN- REQUEST@ATHENA.MIT.EDU.

Usenet newsgroups

Methods of accessing Usenet newsgroups vary from system to system; the best approach is to ask your system administrator.

• ALT.FEMINISM is often a venue for confrontational debates about feminism.

• SOC.WOMEN offers an unrestricted range of topics, mostly nonacademic, of relevance to women’s lives.

• SOC.GENDER-ISSUES is a discussion of gender issues of interest to women.

• SOC.FEMINISM is a moderated list where issues of feminist organization, experience, and philosophy are discussed. (Also available through the Internet as FEMINISM- DIGEST@NCAR.UCAR.EDU.)

Electronic journals

• AMAZONS INTERNATIONAL is an electronic journal for and about “physically and psychologically strong, assertive women who are not afraid to break free from traditional ideas about gender roles and femininity.” Gopher to gopher.cic.net. Select “Electronic Serials.” Select “General Subject Headings” then “Culture.”

OPACs (online library catalogs)

The following OPACs offer access to library collections which are known for having strong women’s studies collections. Most gopher systems provide access to library catalogs, however, telnet addresses are listed below for those who wish to connect directly to these catalogs. (Note: some systems are not entirely compatible with telnet access; for some systems you may need to type TN3270 or TNVT100 instead of “telnet.” If you are doubt, check with the system administrator at your school to determine which command you should use.)

• BROWN. Telnet to BROWNVM.BROWN. EDU. At the BROWN logon screen: TAB to command field. Enter DIAL JOSIAH. TAB to the JOSIAH choice on the screen.

• NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY. Telnet to LIBRARY.UCC.NWU.EDU. At the Database Selection Menu, enter NCAT.

• TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY. Telnet to VENUS.TWU.EDU. At the Username: prompt, type IRIS. Press RETURN several times when prompted.

• UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT IRVINE (MELVYL). Telnet to MELVYL.UCOP.EDU. When asked for terminal type, enter VT100. Press RETURN when prompted. Type START LOOK for easy-to-use library system.

• UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO. Telnet to STEFFI.UNCG.EDU. When prompted for Username, type JACLIN.

• UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND. Telnet to VICTOR.UMD.EDU. Select PAC from the Available Services Menu. Select 5 for VT100. Press RETURN twice.

Electronic texts

The Women Writers Project provides texts of some 200 literary works produced by women writers from pre-1830 England, Scottland, Ireland, and Wales. It also includes works from other colonies. The listserv (WWP-L) offers a forum for discussion of these works (subscribe: LISTSERV@BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU).

Fee-based services

• WON, the Women’s Online Network, was founded by Carmela M. Federico and Stacy M. Horn in January 1992 and is concerned with developing strategies to improve the position of women in our society. The network distributes prominent and essential information regarding concerns to women, and aids in the coordination of useful political action. Annual membership is $20, which is negotiable if necessary. To join, contact the cofounders at (212) 255-3839 or (212) 989-8411 or e-mail to carmela @echo.panix.com or horne@echo.panix.com.

• WIRE, Women’s Information Resource and Exchange, due to begin operation in 1994, will be an international interactive computer network providing women with a centralized source of women-oriented information and conversation. For information contact WIRE at (415) 615-8989 or e-mail to info@uivc.net.

Gopher sites

• INFOGOPHER.YORK.AC.UK includes Internet guides as well as bibliographies on women’s studies and feminism. Select “Library,” then “Subjects,” then “Women’s Studies.” The following guides are recommended and are available at this site under “Internet Guides:”

Balka, Ellen. Women’s Access to On-line Discussions about Feminism.

Hunt, Laura. Guide to Women’s Studies/ Feminist Information on the Internet. 2nd ed.

Turek, Kathleen, and Judith Hudson. Electronic Access to Research on Women: A Short Guide.

• INFO.UMD.EDU. The University of Maryland’s gopher, InForM, houses the Women’s Studies Online Database. Divided by subject, it includes calls for papers, employment opportunities, feminist film reviews, women’s health information, poetry, fiction, political information, and more. Select “Educational Resources,” then “Women’s Studies.”

• HAFNHAF.MICRO.UMN.EDU The University of Minnesota Women’s Center’s gopher site offers access to information about counseling, education, family relations, health, finances, housing, research, violence, current events, scholarships, grants, financial support, and much more. Select “UofM Campus Information,” then “University of Minnesota Women’s Center.”

Other Resources

• SOC.FEMINISM FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) provides “an informal compilation of potential resources for women” and includes feminist organizations, related organizations, feminist and women-oriented publications, feminist and women-oriented electronic mailing lists, and a list of catalogs/bookstores. It is available through ftp to rtfm.mit.edu as “resources” under /pub/usenet/news.answers/ feminism.