Books are most often used as secondary sources, acting as analyses, interpretations, or summaries of primary source materials or events. These secondary source books, which include scholarly monographs and textbooks, provide background information and frame events within a broader context, and they often quote or refer to primary sources within their arguments.

If you'd prefer to peruse our shelves rather than search our catalog, the history books can be located under the following Library of Congress call numbers sections:

• Auxiliary Sciences of History (Archaeology, Western Civilization, Genealogy, Heraldry, etc.): C1- CT9999
• World History (excluding North and South America: D1-DX 301
• History of the Americas (The majority of U.S. history will be located in the E's): E11-909; F1-3799

You can also browse the catalog for books and DVDs using these subject keywords and more specific ones such as Renaissance, Revolutionary America, etc. 

You can search for both print and electronic books through the Library's online catalog. Type the keyword(s) in the search bar below and then hit 'Search'. Keywords can be any combination of words from the author, title, or subject fields. Examples are:

• anthropology
• revolut* and United States (will retrieve revolution, revolutionary, revolutions and so on COMBINED with United States)
• Sigmund Freud (books by or about Sigmund Freud)

Tip: Keep in mind that you only need a few keywords for any search.  The more words you enter the fewer results you will find.  Try to limit your keywords to 3 or less. 

Additionally, you don't not have to search by keyword. You can also search by Title, Author, Subject, Journal Title, or Call Number. Keyword searching is the best choice though when looking for a resources on a topic.

Below is a list of United States history related books and ebooks the library has in the collection. In order to access ebooks off-campus you will need to use your student ID # and 8 digit birthday to log in. (Example: Log In: 123456789 / Password: 01011900)

Below is a list of world history related books and ebooks the library has in the collection. In order to access ebooks off-campus you will need to use your student ID # and 8 digit birthday to log in. (Example: Log In: 123456789 / Password: 01011900)