Answered By: Maggie Bates
Last Updated: Dec 01, 2022     Views: 430

Where you'll find primary and secondary sources varies depending on the topic you're researching. Here are some tips to get you started with your search.

  • Use the Libraries' Databases page. 
    • To find primary sources relevant to the time period or movement you're studying, select Primary Resources from the Type menu.
    • You can also use the Subjects menu to limit your search, or leave this item blank to see a list of all of the electronic resources for primary source research.

Screen grab of the Databases page showing Primary Sources in the Types drop-down menu.

  • Use Scout to locate primary sources.
    • Enter a subject or topic in which you are interested and words like source, letter, speech, writing, document, diary or diaries, paper, etc.. For example, searching for "civil rights" and speech will locate speeches delivered during the Civil Rights Movement.
    • Search for historical figures as authors.  Someone researching the Civil Rights Movement could search for Martin Luther King Jr. as an author to locate his writings and speeches.
    • Search for a topic then narrow the results to a particular type of publication--such as Primary Source Document--by using the Source Types limiter on the left side of the page.
    • Include a publication type in your search: Interview, Letter, and Speech.
    • Find secondary sources on your topic, and scan their bibliographies for primary sources.

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Bruno Business Library
205-348-1086

Gorgas Library
205-348-6047

Hoole Special Collections
205-348-0500

Rodgers Library
205-348-2100