HIST 290 Historical Methods & Theory

Searching for Primary sources

Use the Advanced Search option
Add words like correspondence, memoir, letter, interview, autobiographies, diaries, or sources to search for material that includes both your terms, e.g, "Cold War" and sources 

Search Tips

• Write out a few keywords on your topics and enter them into the search box.
• Don't write out a sentence - you will get zero results.
• Your results will come up ranked by relevance, which you can re-sort by title, author, or date of publication
• When you find a title that is particularly useful for your research, click on any of the links for subject(s) to see if our library has more material on that topic
• Start with broad searches. It's much easier to discard too much rather than start with too little.
• Give yourself time!
• If you need help, ask us!

• Use the Library Catalog to find books and e-books that are available at the MCLA library and from our partner libraries in HELM. For information on downloading ebooks, see our guide.
• Use the Commonwealth Catalog (ComCat) to find books that are available statewide in Massachusetts. You will need your library login (the same one  you use to request books in the MCLA HELM catalog) to request an item. Contact us if you need help logging in.
• Use WorldCat to search for books and ebooks held by libraries worldwide. Use the 'Request on Interlibrary Loan" button to request the item from another library.  
• Use the Libby app for more popular/recreational reading. You can find ebooks, emagazines, audio books, and more in Libby.