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Welcome
This guide is for advanced researchers who are focused on finding special collections, archives, and digital libraries with resources on particular topics or individuals.
Some of the resources listed here are available in digital formats online, but others require traveling to an archive in person. If you plan to visit an archive, we recommend contacting them in advance to let them know you are coming and ask if there is anything you need to do to prepare for your visit to their collection.
Please note that this guide does not focus on collections related to the University of Illinois. Below are guides which do focus on these resources:
- For primary sources from the catalog or U of I's special collections, consult the Teaching, Learning, and Academic Support unit's Find Primary Sources page.
- The U of I Digital Collections guide lists where you can find digital collections related to the University, Illinois history, newspapers, literature, science, and other subjects.
In-Person or Digital: A Note on Format
Some of the resources listed here are available in digital formats online, but others require traveling to an archive in person.
If you plan to visit an archive, we recommend contacting them in advance to let them know you are coming and ask if there is anything you need to do to prepare for your visit to their collection.
Certain digital archives and resources can only be accessed on a computer with a university campus IP address. This library guide for Online and Distance Learners includes instructions for setting up your off-campus access to these resources.
Finding Primary Source Materials By Subject
Our Library has many subject librarians who can assist you with your research. You can find their contact information, as well as the U of I library focused on your subject discipline, by looking at this list of the Library's Subject Specialists.
More library-created resource guides are organized by subject in this list of LibGuides. Below are a few examples of topical library guides on finding primary sources in your area.
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History, Philosophy, & Newspaper Library Digital CollectionsLinks to relevant collections related to historical research topics.
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Introduction to English Language LiteratureThis guide shows how to find different relevant resources offered in the library catalog.
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Latin American & Caribbean: Research GuideIn this guide you'll find some general resources for the study of our area in our Library and beyond.
Finding Primary Source Materials By Material Type
You may strictly be interested in finding a particular type of media in your search (newspapers, video recordings, etc.)
Below are guides which focus on finding specific document/resource types:
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Finding Images and VideoA library guide that covers different online resources (video and image) across a variety of disciplines.
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Electronic and Digital Music GuideThis guide includes search tips and recommended print, online, and archival resources for researching electronic and digital music.
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Locating Primary Sources of Music in Libraries and ArchivesA guide to identifying, locating, and accessing primary sources of music (including manuscripts, early editions, programs, interviews, and more). This guide covers both digital and physical collections.
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Finding Online NewspapersThis guide is intended to teach students, faculty, and staff at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign how to search for and access current and past issues of popular newspapers online through our library subscribed databases.
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The University of Illinois Newspaper DatabaseThe University of Illinois Newspaper Database is a catalog of the Library's newspaper collection. Use it to find newspapers held at UIUC, regardless of format (e.g. original print, microfilm, or digitized).
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Primary Source ReprintsThis library guide provides information on primary source reprints, which are books and book sets that reprint carefully selected historical document with a shared topic.