What are some ways I can find primary sources?

Our Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library (MARBL) is primary-source heaven! MARBL has collections that cover a wide range of topics and events, but their holdings are particularly strong in literature,; African American history and culture, and the history of Atlanta, Georgia, and the South.

Listed below are some other strategies and resources, as well as some tips, to use when looking for primary materials.

• Search discoverE the Library Catalog, using a primary source format word such as sources, letters, diaries, manuscripts, etc. EXAMPLE: Sylvia Plath diaries

Demo Search in EUCLID (w/ audio)

• Search a discipline-specific research database (found at Databases@Emory) to find scientific research articles. For example, BIOSIS Previews contains citations to articles that report on research conducted in the biological sciences.

Demo Search in BIOSIS Previews (w/ audio)

• Search a database devoted to archives (e.g., historical newspapers). To find databases devoted to archives, you can go to Databases@Emory, select "Archives & Primary Sources" in the second drop-down box, and click "GO."

Demo Search in ProQuest Historical Newspapers (w/ audio)

Other Tips:

• Doing preliminary reading in a specialized encyclopedia to help identify key names, events, or terminology.
• Locating primary source references in the footnotes and bibliographies of secondary source books and articles. An author might also mention useful primary source material in a book's preface or acknowledgments.
• Searching WorldCat or the Center for Research Libraries catalog, which are catalogs that contain the holdings of many national and even in some cases, international libraries.
• Consulting a library subject specialist.