Using Archives

Lisa Jeskins, Library & Archival Services

Postgraduates, ESPaCH, University of Salford. Wed 9th Nov 2011

What do you know about archives?

"If an item does not appear in our records, it does not exist."

Jocasta Nu – Jedi Librarian, Star Wars: The Clone Wars

From: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Jocasta_Nu

• Archives and Special Collections Libraries

• No ONE place

• Unique and unpublished materials

• Not always available electronically

• May need to visit/make an appt/take notes

Conservator at work: http://flickr.com/photos/germanparra/

Key concepts > Synonyms > Be flexible

• Too many results? Narrow your search by adding terms (with AND etc.) e.g.o cultureo culture AND communism

• Too few results? Broaden your search or change your term e.g.o Post-colonialism and human rightso Human rights

Tip – keep a notebook when you’re reading and write down new terms/new ways of describing your concepts as you come across them

Search Strategy Reminder

“The Archives Hub searches across a broad range of archives, provides detailed collection and often item information, which is invaluable, and in addition, the direct details for contacting and visiting the archives, all in one place. This saves me time and makes my research more efficient.”

Postgraduate student, Medieval Studies

Why use the Archives Hub?

• Search archives descriptions from nearly 200 UK institutions.

• Collections on the Hub range from the archives of industries, institutions and researchers to the letters and manuscripts of writers and poets.

Archives Hub

• Copac provides free access to merged online catalogues of nearly 60 libraries in the UK and Ireland

• Includes the British Library , English Short Title Catalogue and several special collections libraries.

Copac

• National Register of Archives (National)

• A2A (National, not updated)

• Aim 25 (London)

• Janus (Cambridge)

Online Sources for Archives

Any questions?