In 1937 Robert Staughton and Helen Merrell Lynd published the second of their seminal Middletown studies. Half a century later, their work continues to be replicated and references to the Middletown studies permeate social science literature. This bibliography brings together all major, Middletown-related printed sources and dissertations known to the authors. It omits those references which mention the Middletown work of the Lynds and their successors only in passing. It also does not include publications by the Lynds which lack Middletown content.

Entries in this bibliography are arranged chronologically, beginning with local reaction to the Lynds' initial research in 1924 and ending with publications from mid-1987. We have chosen a chronological organization of material because it best shows the historical progression of Middletown studies. As a result, the findings and critical response to the work of a specific project such as Middletown III or the Middletown Film Series, tend to be grouped together and facilitate access for the reader. When there are several entries for the same date, arrangement is alphabetical by author's surname.

Many of the entries are from Muncie newspapers and illustrate vividly the effect of extended research upon a community. Middletown references have been collected by research assistants through a reading of the issues, as no index to Muncie presently exists. Also included are the numerous wire service stories, frequently testing the current opinion of Muncie residents on a variety of subjects of national interest.

Primarily for the sake of brevity, annotations are written in journalistic style or note form. They summarize the content of the reference and, when apparent, indicate the author's viewpoint. Cross-references to related works are indicated by the notation 'see item .'

The Middletown Studies Collections contain archival as well as printed materials. Included in the holdings are Middletown III, Black Middletown and Middletown Film Project collections. Other archival collections of Middletown materials are held by the Library of Congress, Sarah Lawrence College, Columbia University Oral History Collection, Time Inc. Archives, North Texas State University Libraries, and the Rockefeller Archive Center.