Library Home Page > Research Topics bankruptcy This guide is an introduction to the research process that, while not being an exhaustive list of information resources available, should be helpful in getting started in your research about bankruptcy.  Below you will find pointers to suggested research terms about bankruptcy, materials in the library catalog about bankruptcy, websites relevant to bankruptcy, and links to library databases that contain information about bankruptcy.  Please use our email reference service, contact us at (310) 434-4254, or visit us in the library at the reference desk if you need further assistance. Go to:    Suggested Research Terms    Materials in the Library Catalog     Websites    Library Databases Suggested Research Terms One of the really helpful things when searching for information about a topic is a short list of terms related to a topic.  We think the following terms will help with your research about bankruptcy: consumer debt corporate debt chapter 11 bankruptcy chapter 7 bankruptcy credit credit rating Back to top of page Materials in the library catalog related to bankruptcy We have the following materials in the library catalog related to bankruptcy:  bankruptcy United States debt commercial law corporate reorganizations United States consumer credit United States finance, personal United States   Back to top of page Websites on bankruptcy The following websites will help you with your research on bankruptcy: United States Code: Title 11 Bankruptcy Law The law code of the United States provides the actual federal laws on bankruptcy in Title 11 of the U. S. Code. United States Bankruptcy Courts "Federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases. Bankruptcy cases cannot be filed in state court. Each of the 94 federal judicial districts handles bankruptcy matters. The primary purposes of the law of bankruptcy are: (1) to give an honest debtor a "fresh start" in life by relieving the debtor of most debts, and (2) to repay creditors in an orderly manner to the extent that the debtor has property available for payment." Includes links to "Bankruptcy Basics", official bankruptcy forms, and specific bankruptcy districts. California Bankruptcy Law Informational site explains the federal bankruptcy process and issues pertaining to California residents. Includes California exemptions, a list of U.S. bankruptcy courts in California, and legal referral service contact information. The site also discusses alternatives to filing for bankruptcy, including debt consolidation and consumer credit counseling. American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) "The largest multi-disciplinary, non-partisan organization dedicated to research and education on matters related to insolvency. ... [ABI was] founded ... to provide Congress and the public with unbiased analysis of bankruptcy issues." Features educational programs and events, publications, news (press releases and briefings, reports and research), and consumer education resources. Sources specifically for bankruptcy professionals include statistics, recently published court opinions, bankruptcy opinions, a membership directory, and more. Searchable. Bankruptcy Provides an overview of U.S. bankruptcy laws and procedures and explains the differences between Chapter 7 (liquidation) and Chapter 11, 12, and 13 (reorganization) bankruptcy filings. Features a FAQ, glossary, comparison charts, and related resources. Also includes updates on bankruptcy legislation. From Nolo, a California publisher of legal self-help books. Enron News and Pressroom Homepage of the Enron corporation, which filed for bankruptcy in an historic and controversial action. The section "Chapter 11 Reorganization" offers specific details on their filings, presentations to creditors, and information for their trading partners. Included in "Fast Facts for the Media" is a brief history of the company and its milestones.  "The Latest" gives updates on events and news coverage in and about Enron. Back to top of page Library Databases relevant to bankruptcy The following Santa Monica College Library online databases may contain material relevant to bankruptcy.  Databases may include magazine, newspaper and journal articles.  Please note: you must be a Santa Monica College student, faculty or staff member to use these services. ABI/INFORM Business news and information from more than 410 full text journals. Coverage includes all subject areas related to business. Business Source Premier Business Source Premier provides full text for nearly 8200 serials. Coverage includes all subject areas related to business. Regional Business News Regional Business News provides full text coverage for regional business publications. Includes coverage of 75 business journals, newspapers and newswires from all metropolitan and rural areas within the United States. Academic Search Premier, MasterFile Premier Academic Search Premier and MasterFile Premier provide full text for over 6200 periodicals including full text for more than 3,500 peer-reviewed journals. Coverage spans virtually every area of academic study and offers information dating as far back as 1975. National Newspapers (U.S.) Searchable index for recent issues of the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and the Christian Science Monitor. Full-text for newer issues and citations for older materials. More information on coverage Newspaper Source (Regional, National and International) Provides selected full text for 25 national (U.S.) and international newspapers. The database also contains full text television & radio news transcripts, and selected full text for more than 200 regional (U.S.) newspapers. Military and Government Collection Designed to offer current news pertaining to all branches of the military and government, provides cover-to-cover full text for more than 350 journals and periodicals and indexing and abstracts for more than 450 titles. Oxford Reference: Military History Dictionaries and reference titles on military history. JSTOR Back issues of over 300 scholarly journals in a wide variety of disciplines: African American Studies, African Studies, Anthropology, Archeology, Art and Architecture, Asian Studies, Ecology, Economics, Education, Finance, Geography, History, Language & Literature, Latin American Studies, Mathematics, Music, Middle East Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Population Studies, Slavic Studies, Sociology and Statistics. Ethnic NewsWatch News, culture and history from the newspapers, magazines and journals of the ethnic, minority and native press -- English and Spanish language. Encyclopedia Americana Includes 45,000 articles, plus thousands of hypertext links to web sites featuring additional data. It is updated quarterly. Encyclopedia, Funk and Wagnalls New World Provides over 25,000 encyclopedic entries covering a variety of subject areas. Researched and evaluated by: ap 5/12/02 Back to top of page