Reference Books
Reference books (encyclopedias, dictionaries, etc.) provide basic background information. Some include suggestions for further reading. They may be print or online.
Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) and Oxford Reference Online (ORO) are collections of fulltext reference books.
Browse the DT section of the Reference books on the main floor and the book collection on the second floor.
- The New Encyclopedia of Africa (online)
Addresses the entire history of African cultures from the pharaohs and the ancient civilizations of the south through the colonial era to the emergence of 53 independent countries. - Encyclopedia of Precolonial Africa (REF DT2 .E53 1997 ) Available in print in the reference section of the main floor.
- Encyclopedia of African History and Culture (REF DT3 .P27 2001) A 3 volume set broken down by historical period from ancient Africa to colonization. Availalbe in the Reference Collection.
- Africa Bibliography (REF DT3 .A33 ) Lists books, articles, pamphlets, and essays in edited volumes--mainly in the social sciences, humanities, environmental studies, and the arts, western languages, access by subject, author, and geographic location. Available in Reference Collection.
- Cambridge History of Africa ( DT20 .C28 ) Chapters written by specialists and include extensive bibliographies, maps and a detailed index. Available in the book collection on the second floor.
- General History of Africa (DT20 .G45 1981 ) Sponsored by UNESCO. Each of 8 volumes covers a different time period and is edited by a native African specialist. Available in the book collection on the third floor.
Finding Books
- MUSCAT Musselman Library's catalog. Every book in MUSCAT is in Musselman Library. Remember to start with a keyword search and then explore subject headings to narrow and refine your search.
- WorldCat ...like MUSCAT for the whole world. Use this if you think a book exists, but you don't know exactly what it is. It's easy to request via ILL (Interlibrary Loan) from WorldCat!
Searching for Primary Sources
Some primary source material can be found by searching MUSCAT , the library catalog, using a keyword or subject search. These search techniques work in any library catalog, including WorldCat.org. Additional primary sources may be found in Gettysburg College's Special Collections.
- First try a KEYWORD search which searches all words in the titles, authors, subjects, and notes of MUSCAT records. You can enter words in any order. This is the broadest, safest search. Take note of Subject Headings for promising titles.
- Next try a SUBJECT search with the subject headings from the keyword search. This searches only the subject fields of MUSCAT records, and word order matters. Ask a librarian if you need help identifying the best subject heading(s) for your topic.
- Finally try an AUTHOR search to find original writings of a person or documents published by a government or organization").
Examine the subject headings carefully. The following subheadings will help you identify books and microfilm that contain primary sources:
|
--diaries |
--photographs --posters --pictorial works --caricatures and cartoons |
--personal narratives --interviews --anecdotes --underground literature |
|
Ex: Africa -- History -- Sources
Finding Articles
Use these databases to find articles on your topic from scholarly journals, magazines and newspapers.
- Historical Abstracts Provides citations to world history articles, book chapters, books, and more on topics dating from 1450-present. Coverage excludes U.S. and Canada. Years of coverage: 1954-present.
- Bibliography of Africana Periodical Literature Includes articles from over 400 English language and multi-lingual journals and periodicals that specialize in African Studies or cover the African continent. Free access provided by AfricaBib.org.
- Humanities Abstracts Provides citations to articles covering all humanities subject areas. Years of coverage: 1984-present.
Locate a Journal, Magazine, or Newspaper
After you have searched the library databases and identified an article of interest, there are several ways to obtain a copy of the article:
- Click on the PDF or HTML link in the database; or, click on the "Gett It" button to link to the article in a different library database.
- Request articles through ILLiad (Interlibrary Loan). If we don’t have the journal or magazine, we will try to get it for you from another library. ILLiad can also be used to request books. ILLiad requires a one-time registration.
How To Reach Me
Library of Congress Call Numbers
The History of Africa is in the DT section. For a more detailed breakdown of the call numbers in the DTs, see the document below.
Feedback
Who What When
This guide was created for Professor Essien, HIST 271, African History and Society to 1880s, Fall 2009, by Ronalee Ciocco.
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