Arts & Humanities Library
W321 Pattee Library
Penn State University
814-865-1014
ecn1@psu.edu
Arts & Humanities Library
W321 Pattee Library
Penn State University
814-865-1014
ecn1@psu.edu
Reference Books are good places to find out what happened when, look up a statistic, or get a brief overview of historical people, places, and events. They provide overviews of historical topics, refer you to key articles and books, and supply important names, dates, and terms.
Two separate databases. Each provides public opinion surveys
Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970. Online. Also: Statistical Abstract of the U.S., 1878-present
To find BOOKS (and other materials) at Penn State use the library's catalog, The CAT
Use WorldCat to search for materials in libraries worldwide. Use the "Request via ILL" link to have items delivered to you.
To find articles on your topic search the databases listed below. If the article is not online, search The CAT to see if the library owns the journal, and where is located.
Now that you have read what others have written, it is time to research some relevant historical documents. It is likely that you will have some leads from the books and articles you have consulted, but you will also want to discover some sources on your own. Below are some types of historical collections available in the University Libraries.
The U.S. Government issues thousands of reports on legal, social, and political issues. Most are in the Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor, Paterno. Some government documents appear in The CAT, others require specialized access tools.
Congressional Debates appear in the Congressional Record, 1874-Present. Print volumes can be found in the Social Sciences Library, 2nd Floor Paterno. Debates since 1986 are online in Lexis-Nexis Congressional (see below).
Lexis Nexis Congressional. An index to many Congressional documents including hearings and reports. Also the full-text of the U.S. Serial Set (executive branch documents). Most Congressional publications are in the Social Sciences Library, 2nd floor Paterno.
Executive Branch Documents (reports from the Justice Dept., Labor Dept., etc.) are often listed in The CAT. Search by topic, or agency or by the President as AUTHOR. Many early documents are in the Serial Set (see Lexis Nexis Congressional above). Also see the American Presidency Project and the Declassified Documents Reference System.
Court Decisions and Laws are online via Lexis Nexis Academic
Magazine and news articles published shortly after an event can provide a snapshot of contemporary opinion.
Early 20th Century New Sources
Recent 20th Century News Sources. Dates of coverage vary, but typically go back only to the 1980s.
The library has many newspapers and magazines in print or on microfilm. Use an INDEX to find articles in these sources.
Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature, Arts & Hums. Index Tables, 2nd Floor Pattee. An index to articles in over 200 American magazines. Goes back to 1890.
Alternative Press Index. Call # HN1 .A48, Social Sciences Reference, 2nd Floor Paterno. An index to articles published in liberal magazines. Published since 1969.
Business Periodicals Index. Call # HF5001.B97, Business Library, 3rd Floor Paterno. An index to articles published in business magazines. Goes back to 1958.
Looking for ADVERTISEMENTS? Try our Advertising Guide, You can also browse paper copies of many "mainstream" American magazines on Level B of the Pattee Stacks.
