Primary Sources
Primary sources are created at the time of an event, or by someone who witnessed the event. Examples include newspapers, letters, diaries, etc... The library frequently acquires collections of reprinted historical documents. Below are just a few examples:
- Translations and Reprints from the Original Sources of History
Call # D101.P4, Pattee - Stacks Level BA - Historic Documents Series Online collects primary sources covering current events around the world from 1972 to present
LOOKING FOR MORE DOCUMENTS???
Below are some terms you can use in The CAT to locate primary documents.
- Sources (collections of documents, e.g. Middle Ages and sources)
- Eyewitness (French Revolution and eyewitness)
- Letters or Correspondence (e.g. Benjamin Franklin and correspondence)
- Diaries/Diary (e.g. diary and Anne Frank)
- Documents or Documentary (documentary history and Women)
OUR SPECIAL COLLECTIONS LIBRARY contains original primary source documents. Many of these are in The CAT, but others are not yet listed. See the Special Collections Library Website for a general overview of the collections and detailed finding aids.
OUR NEWS & MICROFORMS LIBRARY contains primiary source documents in microformat (microfilm, fiche, etc...). Browse Microfinder to locate primary source collections, or see a list of Newspapers micro and other formats.
PRIMARY DOCUMENTS NOT AT PSU
Personal papers and other primary sources are often not published and can only be accessed at the library or archive holding the original documents. To identify libraries that may have items of interest consult the following:
Archival Resources -- Detailed finding aids to collections in over 150 institutions can be searched in this database. Many contain detailed information about collection contents, their organization and accessibility. Some guides links to digital reproductions of archival material. Also included is the RLG Archival and Mixed Collections (AMC) file, with over 700,000 records describing archival collections.
ArchivesUSA -- A subject guide to special collections in archives across the country. Contains entries from the National Union Catalogue of Manuscript Collections (NUCMC). You can also search detailed finding aids contained in the National Inventory of Documentary Sources (NIDS), Call # MICRO 4 NIDS, News and Microforms Library, Basement West Pattee.
Repositories of Primary Sources -- A listing of websites describing holdings of manuscripts, archives, rare books, historical photographs, and other primary sources for the research scholar
The Guides on specific historical topics contain additional primary source descriptions. Go to Historical Guides by Topic.