Research Resources: Class Guides

HIS 360: History Workshop: Methods and Practices

Researching in Libraries:

>indexing, cataloging

>locating, retrieving/accessing

>creating new knowledge by using and attributing sources ethically and legally

Consider: language variations used in...all of the above!

Consider: physical nature of the item to determine where your search begins:

• Book/Monograph = Library Catalog to confirm holdings and obtain a description

• Periodical/Magazine/Journal/Newspaper Articles = print or online index, and/or online archive, to discover publication contents, description and method of access

• Government Information = respective agency web site, depository library-catalog, plus government and/or commercially produced indexes and finding aids. Libraries vary in methods of catalog representation and physical organization. Most government publications are assigned a unique Superintendent of Documents (SuDoc) number, which can be useful for locating the item in depository libraries.

Searching catalogs and indexes to find location & citation data at F&M:

• Library Catalog: Location: Ref Area
• Library Web Site: Subject Guides: History: Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, Handbooks & Bibliographies

• Books: Library Catalog, WorldCat [EZ-Borrow if necessary; ILL=back-up]
• Articles: Library Web Site: A-Z list of indexes/databases and/or Subject Guides: History [ILL if necessary]

• Library Catalog: [EZ Borrow if necessary; ILL=back-up]
• WorldCat: [EZ Borrow if necessary; ILL=back-up]
  *Library of Congress Subject Language for primary material:
  *documents, interviews, correspondence, letters, speeches, diaries, narratives, sources, collections
• Internet-mediated Library Subscription Indexes/Databases/Archives featuring historical materials which may be considered primary sources [ILL if necessary]:
  • Accessible Archives, 18th & 19th c. periodicals
  • America's Historical Newspapers
  • Archive Finder, a directory
  • The New York Times, 1851-2006
  • Nineteenth Century Masterfile
  • PAIS Archive, 1915-1976
  • Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature, Retrospective, 1890-1982
• Library Print Indexes/Abstracts:
  • Located in the "Microforms Room" at Shadek-Fackenthal

Locating library materials at F&M using location & citation data:

Articles: by format, as indicated via "Journal Finder"

• Current/Active subscription = Periodicals Room, 1st floor
• "Bound" = Ground floor, south
• Microform (film/fiche) = 1st floor, behind Ref Desk
• Full-Text, Digital = by library subscription, free if available