FIND THE BEST SOURCES AND SERVICES
Historical research is complex, and with the advent of digitization of sources for the web, new resources are continuously becoming available. This guide is intended to get you started, not to be comprehensive!
First, be sure you can access library resources wherever you go. Use the My Library Record link to set up your library PIN (which can be letters, numbers or a combination of the two.) Additional registrations are needed for certain services, as noted below. You can also refer to the Registration Guide.
When you need to find: |
Go to these sources (Online unless otherwise noted): |
Books on your topic |
Randall Library Catalog (local holdings) http://library.uncw.edu Bibliographies (book length and in secondary sources) |
Publications not in Randall Library's collections? |
ILLiad Interlibrary Loan Service (linked in WorldCat) |
Reserve Readings for my courses |
ERes Course Reserve |
Scholarly articles on history |
America: History and Life For more, see History Database page. Other databases on related disciplines |
| Book reviews | PUBLISHED FROM MID-1980s: EARLIER PUBLICATIONS: |
| Popular Articles published during a historical period or event (i.e., primary sources) |
FULL TEXT ONLINE: INDEXING ONLINE: |
| Does Randall Library own a periodical, and if so, which issues? | Randall Library Catalog [Journal Title or Title search] (Includes online, paper, and microfilm holdings) |
| Where is a periodical indexed? | Serials Directory Ulrich's Periodical Directory Randall Library Catalog / WorldCat Indexed Periodicals INDEX Z6951 .M3 |
| Encyclopedias and other reference sources | Britannica Online Sage eReference Daily Life Through History Historic Events of the 20th Century Browse Reference Collection ( Call Number Outline) |
| Biographical information | BOOK LENGTH: ARTICLE LENGTH: FOR MORE GUIDANCE: |
| Statistics | Historical Statistics of the United States Statisical Compendiums in the print Reference Collection |
| U.S. Government Information (Randall Library is partial depository since 1965) |
Randall Library Catalog (from 1990) PRINT INDEXES: |
| Primary Sources | " Finding Primary Sources for Historical Research" |
| Where are archival collections I should contact and/or visit? | Randall Library Special Collections WorldCat Search Other Library Catalogs Bibliographies in secondary works Repository websites |
| Historical maps | David Rumsey Map Collection PRINT SOURCES Search the Library Catalog: Subject=Historical geography -- Maps |
| Quotations | Bartlett ’s Familiar Quotations Online & REF PN6081.B27 Browse REF PN6080s What They Said REF D410 .W46 (1969-1995) |
| High Quality Websites | Randall Library Subject Guide: History: Selected Internet Sources WWW Virtual Library: History Librarians Index to the Internet History Highway REF D16.117 .H57 2006 |
| Where can get help with writing and citing? | University Learning Center (Westside Hall) EndNote Web (Through Web of Knowledge) |
| Where else can I look? | Ask a Librarian! (Reference Desk, Email, Chat, NCKnows) STAR Program |
| What do I have checked out? When is it due? Renew items | "My Library Record " |
| Where can I make prints & photocopies? | iPrint Copy Room (ID Card); Circulation & outside Special Collections (ID, Coins, $1 bills) |
| Where can I add money to my ID? | Machine near exit (cash); Online (credit card) |
| Where can I find theses other students in UNCW's Graduate History Program have completed? | Randall Library Catalog: Subject Search: " Thesis History" Browse UNCW General Collection LD3971 .H5 (outside the Graduate Computer Lab) |
| How can I keep up with new publications on my topic? | Ingenta TOC and Search Alert (faculty & graduate students) See the Alert Services Guide for other databases offering alert services |
| Where can I get a good cup of coffee? | JavaCity (behind the Circulation Desk) |