The Whittemore Library is a member of the Minuteman Library Network. You can search for primary sources in the Whittemore Library, or you can search the collections of other libraries in the network. With a Minuteman library card, you are able to request books from any Minuteman library and have them sent to the Whittemore or any other member library for your convenience. Some primary source materials may be fragile and valuable, and therefore ineligible for interlibrary loan. You may need to visit a library, museum or historical society to view these primary resources, but the trip may be well worth it!
A keyword search is a great place to begin to find primary source materials. Think of words or phrases that relate to your topic. Use these words along with words that describe types of primary sources, such as:
For example, a keyword search for a a primary source might look like:
You might also search for a historical figure's name in the "author" field of the catalog. A search in the author field will retrieve materials written by that person. For example, you might search for:
Below is a list of
Is there a book you need but the Whittemore Library and the Minuteman Library Network don'thave it? If so, fill out our online interlibrary loan form and let our Interlibrary Loan staff find it for you.
WorldCat allows you to search for a primary resource beyond FSU and the Minuteman Library Network. For items that are available through interlibrary loan, fill out an interlibrary loan form to have them sent to the Whittemore Library. Items shipped through interlibrary loan may take few weeks to arrive at FSU. Be sure to leave enough time in your research process to receive such materials. Remember that some primary resource materials may be fragile and valuable, and therefore ineligible for interlibrary loan. You may need to visit the institution that owns the primary resource in order to view it.