A lot of excellent criticism is often published in books, both on the Beats and on other writers.
Your search for books might start in one of two places...
In both of these resources, you can use a Subject Search. This is very useful in literary research because it allows you to find all the books on an author, and only the books on that author.
For more information on subject searching, please see the general guide to literature research.
The library holds many books that can provide a deeper look at theoretical concepts. Besides general guides to theory, we have books on specific critical approaches.
A search of the subject headings is often effective. Some headings identify books on theory generally:
Some have to do with particular schools of criticism:
Important thinkers are often subject headings in their own right (note that this will find books about, not by, these individuals). For instance:
Finally, you may wish to search for information to which these theories may be applied. In such cases, it's a good idea to use the Advanced Search. Combining these kinds of headings with a topic (let's say, "popular culture") can get you books on the theory and philosophy about that topic.
Although all of these are real subject headings and you should feel free to use them, there are also many more. This is just a list of examples to help you get started and give you some idea what kinds of searches are possible.
Since books in the library are organized by topic, it is often useful to browse the shelves near a useful volume. There are some specific call numbers associated with theory and criticism:
For general theory books, PN 81 is the most useful call number.
Reference books will be on Level 3; most other books in these call ranges are on Level 5.
Books on specific topics covered by theory may be shelved elsewhere.
Fairy Tales Myths and Psychoanalytic Theory by 
