Kay Collins
U.S. Government and
Interim History Research Librarian
kcollins@uci.edu
(949) 824-7290
How to find Books and Government Publications
- Books
- The Library has many books about France in both English and French.
- A keyword search in French will search the title field.
To search subjects, can also do a keyword search in English. You
may identify some LCSH official subjects to use to help do further
searches. e.g. do a Keyword search: (jew* or judai*)
and (france or french). Then note the Subjects LCSH in the full
display ANTPAC record for terms that might be useful. The same
would be true for searches in Melvyl and Worldcat and RLG Union Catalog.
- Biblioteque Nationale de France
-- can search many unique collections: books, manuscripts,
images. Some are full text online. Search in French, not
English. By clicking on "English" it does provide some assistance
in English and leads to Gallica. If you identify books that we do
not have at UCI, then you would need to request them through
Interlibrary Loan
- Gallica is the BNF Online Digital Library.
- Catalogue
Collectif de France -- For researchers
interested in the holdings of French libraries and lesser-known French
"centres de documentation", this helps locate very unique items.
Availability of some materials in the U.S. may be a problem, but
serious researchers who can travel might find this useful.
How to find Journal Articles
- History
- In addition to the main ones listed first, scroll down to the ones related to French History.
How to fine Primary Resources
- Tutorial on finding Primary Resources -- of special help are the sections on how to find books which are primary resources
- History
- Special Collections
- Online Archive of California
-- search for special collections in the UC libararies. Guides to
collections and manuscripts are online. Would require traveling
to those libraries to use collections.
- Microforms
can be a unique source of information. Identifying the specific set
that might be useful might need some special help, depending on your
topic. Please see me for help if necessary. GOOD NOTE:
The Library has one microform reader/printer attached to a computer so
you can either download individual pages to either a thumb drive or you
can burn a CD. You also have the option to print for $0.25 per page.
Other UCI Subject Guides which might help
Subject Guides cover subjects other than history. Linked
off the Library Home Page, they might provide additional databases to
search for a specific part of your topic. E.g.,
Suggestions
- Start your research early. It is possible you may need to request
books on interlibrary loan or you may have to travel to a nearby
library or archive to find information.
- Read the short descriptions of the databases given for each database or
information resource. It can help you decide whether to use it or
not. Or, look at the more detailed descriptions that most databases
will provide you.Read the short descriptions of the databases given for each database or
information resource. It can help you decide whether to use it or
not. Or, look at the more detailed descriptions that most databases
will provide you.Remember
that terminology has changed over the years. You may have to be
creative in finding terms to search for the full-text databases that
include text from a much earlier time.
- As you search various databases and catalogs, look for the
official subject headings or descriptiors which that databases
uses. You can use their terms to do other searches that might
help you get to very specific articles/publications on your topic.
- Realize that you have to search full-text databases differently
than those that use just key words to search descriptors or abstracts
only. Use the HELP sections for new databases, especially if you
are having problems with your search.
- As you learn new information and add to your list of terms to
search, you may have to go back and research the same databases with
new terms.
- In this class, for some topics, you may have a wealth of
information; other topics will take more analysis and creativity to
locate good resources.
- Use the bibliographies of the articles and books that you find. They can help identify other good resources.
- You can always contact me for more assistance if you need help.