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Library Homepage: http://library.ramapo.edu

• Provides access to the catalog (OPAC), databases, interlibrary loan forms, etc.

What are primary sources?

• Primary Sources enable researchers to get as close as possible to what actually happened during an historical event or time period. The information and ideas were either created during the time period or created later by a participant or observer of the event being studied.

Some Examples of Primary Sources

• Memoirs, diaries, letters, interviews, and other first-person accounts
• Official publications, government documents, court reports and police records
• Newspaper and magazine articles from the period under study
• Paintings
• Photographs
• Film and television programs
• Print and television advertisments
• Music recordings

Finding Primary and Secondary Sources at the Potter Library

• Catalog: use this to find books, journal titles NOT ARTICLES, government documents, reserve items, music,and movies owned by the Library. You may limit a search by language, year(s) of publication, type of material, etc. This may take a few seconds to load.

Searching the catalog for Secondary Source

• Search the catalog using Keywords to find material.
• For example: search for suburbia culture to locate a broad range of material and look for ideas for your projec

OR

• Search the catalog using Subject Browse feature ONLY if you know the Library of Congress Subject Headings
• For example:

New Towns--United States

Suburbs--United States

Tips

1. Use Command Line/Boolean as your search option when looking for primary sources
2. For secondary sources start with broad searches. It is much easier to discard too much rather than start with too little.
3. If you don't know the Subject Heading, use the Related Records tab located on the top of a catalog record to get to the headings. This will help you focus in on more relevant material.
4. Can "virtually" browse the shelves by clicking on the call number in a record.

Reference Material

• The reference stacks are located on the 3rd floor (this is also the library's entrance).
• Some useful primary source materials for your projects:

American Decades Primary Sources	Ref E169.1 .A47 1997
Documents of American History	Ref E173.D59 1988
Annals of America	Ref E173.A793

Tips

1. Use reference books to browse for project ideas and to get started on your research.
2. Use the Bibliographies at the end of encyclopedia entries to find more information on your topic.

IV. Electronic Resources for Primary Sources

• Some useful Databases for your projects:

1. Always switch to the Advance Search page in a database. This will give you more control over your results.
2. Always use Boolean Operators-AND, OR, NOT when running a search. For Example: advertising and violence and culture
3. Always check your Spelling if the database results are Zero and broaden your search terms.

What are secondary sources?

Secondary sources analyze, review, or restate information in primary resources. Most journal articles are secondary sources because they provide analysis, interpretation, or evaluation.

Some Examples of Secondary Sources

• Dictionaries
• Encyclopedias
• Books that interpret or review research works
• Articles that interpret or review research works

Electronic Resources for finding Secondary Sources

• All of the library's Databases have secondary sources in them
• Below is a list of some you may what to try in addition to the others for this project:

• Expanded Academic and Academic Search Premier – Both databases include academic journals and news articles. You won’t find many local stories covered unless they have national implications.

Bibliographies

• Use the Citing Websites and Print Sources for citation style guidance.

• Use Citing Sources for examples of "In-Text Citations" and "Works Cited"

Alternative Press Sources

Web Sources

American Memory: American Memory provides free and open access through the Internet to written and spoken words, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps, and sheet music that document the American experience. It is a digital record of American history and creativity. These materials, from the collections of the Library of Congress and other institutions, chronicle historical events, people, places, and ideas that continue to shape America, serving the public as a resource for education and lifelong learning.

New York Public Library Digital Library Collection: Includes over 480,000 images from primary sources and printed rarities including illuminated manuscripts, historical maps, vintage posters, rare prints, photographs, illustrated books, and printed ephemera.