Primary Source Collections

The University Library has substantial collections of primary source materials for academic and genealogical research. These collections are located in many areas of the library, but here is a selective list:

Pamphlets, Organizational Documents, Papers

Alderman Library Microforms, located on the third floor of Alderman, has an extensive collections in microfilm, microfiche, and microcard covering a wide range of academic disciplines. Some highlights of the collection include Pamplets on American History, History of Women, presidential papers, and important civil rights documents, as well as major collections of interest to English scholars. See a selective list of collections by subject at http://www.lib.virginia.edu/permic/microforms/subjects.html.

Letters, Diaries, Rare Books

Personal narratives, family bibles, manuscripts, and selective electronic collections are located in Special Collections on the second floor of Alderman Library. Holdings are searchable through the Guidesto Manuscript and Archival Collections.

Government Materials

Publications from governmental bodies, like the United Nations or the US Congress, are housed in the Government Information Resources Section on the 3rd floor of Alderman Library.

Other Primary Source Items

All University libraries have reference collections that represent the core research collection for that library. Reference collections include some primary source materials such as public opinion polls, statistical and demographic data in encyclopedias and handbooks, and bibliographies (sources with lists of primary and secondary source materials). These types of materials are not exclusive to reference collections, however, and can also be found in the circulating collections in all libraries.