Using Primary Sources for Research
What is a primary source?
Where to Find Primary Sources
- The Teacher's Page: Teachers, start here.
- Primary Source Sets: 3 dozen topics that span all disciplines. Each set includes background information as inspiration for how students can use them.
- The Teacher's Guides and Analysis Tool: Provides instruction as to how students can analyze the different types of primary source formats. PDF printables for students are included.
- Ask a Librarian: Most pages of the LOC have this link that will connect you with someone who knows the resources inside and out.
AMERICAN MEMORY
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
RECORDED SOUND REFERENCE CENTER
Chronicling America
The World Digital Library
American Archive of Public Broadcasting
DocsTeach
Digital Vaults
The Smithsonian
Primary Sources with a Focus...
Family Ties on the Underground Railroad
Telegraph Chart: Trace the history of long distance telegraph communication.
The Interactive Flag: History of the American Flag
CDC: Infographics are primary sources. There are many here on government health research.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: View health posters through time.
NASA Images of Change: Compare how climate-sensitive areas are changing.
Disability Museum: Explore how those with physical and mental challenges have been portrayed and treated throughout history.
Digital Public Library of America: Explore maps and timelines
IWitness: 1500 video and audio narratives of Holocaust survivors
LivingRoomCandidate: Students can interact with campaign ads throughout the years.
Mt. Lebanon High School Library
Email: Csmith@mtlsd.net
Website: www.mtlsd.org/LeboHSLibrary
Location: 155 Cochran Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15228
Phone: 4123442029
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MTLHSLibrary/
Twitter: @LeboHSLibrary
Sources
Bober, Tom. “Discover Great Primary Sources with LOC.gov.” Library Media Connection, 2016, pp. 9–11.
Lamb, Annette. “Photos, Maps and More: Graphic Inquiry and Primary Sources in the School Library.” Library Media Connection, 2016, pp. 30–33.
Tazerouti, Jennifer, and Karen Gavigan. “Tragedy Healing Understanding: Using Primary Civil Right Resources With Children and Teens.” Library Media Connection, 2016, pp. 19–21.
Williams, Connie. “Bridging Time with Primary Sources.” Library Media Connection, 2016, pp. 5–8.