Top Ten Research Sources

Below are ten excellent sources for research. Do not come to us saying, “I can’t find any information!” until you have used every one of the resources on this list. Lastly, avoid Google. (“Joe’s Gandhi Page” is probably not as reliable as Encyclopedia Britannica.)

• US Library Catalog: use the computers in the library to find books.
• Hennepin County Library: Use the US Media Resources page (under Local Libraries) and your library card to search. You can have books sent to your local branch.
• MN Link: Interlibrary loan. Fill out a request form (get them from Ms. Arnott) to have any book from any library in the state sent here, to Blake US. Limit yourself to five books total for the project; make sure they are ones you can’t get from closer libraries and that you’re far enough into your project that you know that they’ll have good information. Do not get them all five at once, since you can only keep them for a short time.
• Questia: Excellent source of books online. Find it on the US Media Resources page, under Databases, then Student Resource Collections. Have one partner get a password from Ms. Arnott.
• Britannica Online: A great place to start your research. On the US Media Resources page (under Databases, then Encyclopedias). You can use it free at school (or at home by using the password given to you).
• New York Times: Includes the historical archives via #2 above.
• Internet History Sourcebook: Find it on the US Media Resources page, under Subject Specific Links, then History, then Primary Sources.
• Repositories of Primary Sources: Good for finding primary sources, once you have a good overview of your topic. Find it on the US Media Resources page, under Subject Specific Links, then History, then Primary Sources.
• World History Resource Center: Best to use once you have a pretty good sense of your topic so you can search for specific information. Find it on the US Media Resources page, under Databases, then Student Resource Collections.
• Librarian’s Index to the Internet: It says it’s for US History Topics, but click “regions of the world” and you’ll find lots and lots of information, all sifted through for quality by professional librarians. Best to use once you have a pretty good sense of your topic so you can search for specific information. Find it on the US Media Resources page, under Subject Specific Links, then History.