Primary sources can be defined as "those closest, in time or connection, to any subject of investigation." [Richard Maruis, A Short Guide to Writing about History, 8th ed., 2012, p.14]
These include
Letters, diaries, memoirs, speeches, and other first person accounts
Certain government publications, such as Congressional hearings
Official accounts by people in authority, such as reports from the Secretary of the Navy or captain of a ship
Oral histories or interviews
Manuscript collections
Most newspaper or periodical articles from the time of the event
Other material from the time such as photographs or pamphlets
Titles in blue link to some online access. Titles with no location are print bound volumes shelved alphabetically on the 2nd floor. Titles on microfilm are in the Microform Room on the 1st floor. Titles in Special Collections are in that area on the 3rd floor.
Primary source collections may be in the Reference stacks on the 1st floor or in the general collection in the call number section for that subject.
