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Primary Sources

What primary sources are, where to find them, and how to evaluate them.

Search Strategies

In the databases, type the terms "primary sources," speeches, or documents in addition to your subject or keyword(s) in the search bar. This should help narrow your results to different types of primary sources. 

SEARCH EXAMPLE

If your research topic is "what factors led to the establishment of labor unions in the 1800s," you could try searching for some of the following:

  • "labor unions" AND 1800s AND documents
  • "labor unions" AND 1800s AND ("primary source" OR "primary sources")
  • unions AND labor AND 1800s AND documents

Library Databases with Primary Sources

USE CAUTION: 

Most of the databases listed below have a combination of primary and secondary sources. If in doubt, consult a librarian or your instructor.

Find Books with Primary Sources

Books with Primary Sources

When you search the online catalog, add the phrase primary source to your keywords.

Find Books in our Libraries

  • Search in our Catalog
  • Use the Status to make sure an item is available for checkout at your campus (ELD - El Dorado, AND - Andover)
  • Books (and other library materials) can be delivered to either campus, simply let a librarian know.

 

Need a Book the Library Doesn't Have?

We can borrow a book from another library through InterLibrary Loan.