There and Back Again
Our Voices, Our Stories, Our Selves: Using Primary Sources for Student Assignments
Why ‘Rosie?’ Why primary sources? We see events as they happened at the time they happened. Even the best analysis misses something. They connect our experiences to past experiences. History does not only affect people – people shape history.
Where do Primary Sources Fit? History, of course Literature Sociology Psychology Popular culture Science What’cha got?
How do you use them? ‘You are there’ assignments. Everybody has a backstory. Discussion starters Great way to include groups once left out of the formal documentation of our culture.
What do you need to know? Start with looking for journals, diaries and oral histories in the library collection. What’s available beside books? Music Art Maps Court Cases and Laws Film Clips Newspapers
What do you need to know? The Internet is your friend! Who provides primary sources — School history departments State and local historical associations Federal and state libraries
How Can We Work Together? Communicate with departments Obtain assignments and course outlines from instructors Highlight collection You are the expert – don’t be shy Remove cataloging mysteries “Finding tools” – people don’t want to reinvent the wheel
Education Workshops Orientations Other librarians (in and out of your own institution) Meet faculty where they are
Thank you for Coming!