Kay Collins
U.S. Government and
Interim History Research Librarian
kcollins@uci.edu
(949) 824-7290

How to find Books and Government Publications

• Books
• U.S. Government Publications

How to find Journal Articles

• History
• U. S. Government Information

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
• U. S. Government Information
• Key Sites
• More
• Most of the site contains primary resources
• Special 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

• Orange County Government Information
• California Government Infomation
• Film Studies
• Women's/Gender/Feminist Studies
  

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.