Washington State and Local History
Primary Sources

UW Libraries Catalog

    Using the UW Libraries Catalog to find primary sources

In addition to secondary sources (for example, scholarly books written by historians) the UW Libraries has a huge collection of books that can be considered primary sources for American history. These include books written during the period for your topic (i.e., during the depression), books written by participants, published collections of correspondence and other personal writings, memoirs, oral histories, and reprints of collections of primary source material.

How to search the UW Libraries Catalog for primary sources:

  • Limit your search by year of publication.
  • Search for books written by key participants and organizations.
  • Use the subject headings "sources," "correspondence," "personal narratives," “oral history”, and "diaries" in conjunction with your search.
  • Browse the shelves in the appropriate subject area (or use the call number browse capability of the Catalog).

Examples of “keyword” searches:

Trade unions and history and su:sources and su:(washington state or seattle or northwest)
african americans and su:interviews
japanese americans and su:(diaries or correspondence or narratives or oral history)
su:(washington state or seattle or northwest) and su:personal narratives

See also the Summit Catalog - A combined library catalog for academic libraries in Washington and Oregon. Search and request items unavailable at UW

Return to U.S. History Guide

Getting Help from a Librarian

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me

Sarah Leadley
American Studies Librarian
sleadley@uwb.edu
425-352-5387

  

If I'm not available, we have many ways you can get help. You can contact librarians individually for appointments in-person or via email. You are welcome to contact any of my colleagues at the reference desk: 425-352-3146. We also have an e-mail reference service that can answer your questions within one or two working days. You can also try Q&A Live, a collaborative digital reference service that allows you to "chat" with a librarian in real time using your computer.