Internet Resources

"Primary sources are original, uninterpreted information.
Unedited, firsthand access to words, images, or objects created by persons directly involved in an activity or event or speaking directly for a group. This is information before it has been analyzed, interpreted, commented upon, spun, or repackaged." University of Washington Information Literacy Learning 2001-2004.

Depending upon the context, these may include paintings, interviews, works of fiction, research reports, sales receipts, speeches, letters, blogs, books, diaries, editorials, editorial cartoons, emails, essays, government documents, journals, magazine articles, memos, monographs, newspaper articles, pamphlets, web pages/sites.

"Secondary sources interpret, analyze or summarize.
Commentary upon, or analysis of, events, ideas, or primary sources. Because they are often written significantly after events by parties not directly involved but who have special expertise, they may provide historical context or critical perspectives." University of Washington Information Literacy Learning 2001-2004.

Museums and other Learning Centers

• American Memory: Library of Congress
• American Textile History Museum ~ Located in Lowell, Massachusetts, the ATHM "tells America’s story through the art, history, and science of our textiles."
• Center for Lowell History at the University of Massachusetts Lowell Libraries
• Cherokee Heritage Center
• Library of Congress
• Museum of the Cherokee Indian
• National Museum of American History (Smithsonian)
• National Women's History Museum
• Sewall-Belmont House & Museum ~ a museum of women's history and women's suffrage
• Trail of Tears National Historic Trail
• The Women's Museum™: An Institute for the Future ~ a Smithsonian affiliate, "makes visible the unique, textured, and diverse stories of American women."

Repositories ~ Very large, virtual warehouses of digitized primary sources

Documents, Texts, Images, Audio, Maps, etc.

• AMDOCS: Documents for the Study of American History ~ Maps, journals, letters, speeches, etc. of American History
• American Memory: Library of Congress ~ "American Memory provides free and open access through the Internet to written and spoken words, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps, and sheet music that document the American experience. It is a digital record of American history and creativity. These materials, from the collections of the Library of Congress and other institutions, chronicle historical events, people, places, and ideas that continue to shape America, serving the public as a resource for education and lifelong learning."
• Avalon Project at Yale Law School ~ "The Avalon Project will mount digital documents relevant to the fields of Law, History, Economics, Politics, Diplomacy and Government.
• Chronology of United States Historical Documents ~ From the University of Oklahoma Law School
• Digital Book Index ~ Digital Book Index provides links to more than 145,000 title records from more than 1800 commercial and non-commercial publishers, universities, and various private sites. More than 100,00 of these books, texts, and documents are available free, while many others are available at very modest cost.
• Electronic Literature Organization ~ The Electronic Literature Organization exists "to facilitate and promote the writing, publishing, and reading of literature in electronic media."
• FindSounds ~ "A free site where you can search the Web for sound effects and musical instrument samples." Many types of files available.
• History and Politics Out Loud (HPOL) ~ "HPOL is a searchable multimedia database documenting and delivering authoritative audio relevant to American history and politics."
• The History Channel ~ Famous speeches and much more.
• Library of Congress Prints & Photographs ~ "The Prints & Photographs Online Catalog (PPOC) provides access through group or item records to about 65% of the Division's holdings, as well as to some images found in other units of the Library of Congress. Many of the catalog records are accompanied by digital images--about one million digital images in all."
• Making of America (MOA) - Digital Library of Primary Sources ~ "Making of America (MOA) is a digital library of primary sources in American social history from the antebellum period through reconstruction. This site provides access to 267 monograph volumes and over 100,000 journal articles with 19th century imprints." Cornell University
• The National Archives ~ "The National Archives is the U.S. Government’s collection of documents that records important events in American history. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the Government agency that preserves and maintains these materials and makes them available for research." The archives contain materials such as "firsthand facts, data, and evidence from letters, reports, notes, memos, photographs, and other primary sources."
• The Newberry Library
• The New York Public Library Digital Gallery ~ "The NYPL Digital Gallery provides access to over 415,000 images digitized from primary sources and printed rarities in the collections of The New York Public Library, including illuminated manuscripts, historical maps, vintage posters, rare prints and photographs, illustrated books, printed ephemera, and more."
• Northwestern University Digital Library Collections ~ Digital collections of historical, political, and social significance from Northwestern University. Some collections restricted to NU faculty/students.
• Project Gutenberg ~ 30,000 free books
• Repositories of Primary Sources ~ "A listing of over 5000 websites describing holdings of manuscripts, archives, rare books, historical photographs, and other primary sources for the research scholar. All links have been tested for correctness and appropriateness."
• University of Chicago Digital Collections ~ Full-text books, images, musical scores, photos, and much more across many subject areas. Searchable.

N. Mellendorf, Librarian. Maine South High School, Library Resource Center, Park Ridge, IL
Created: 10/5/09 Contact: nmellendorf@maine207.org