Reference works like encyclopedias, dictionaries, and bibliographies can provide useful background information--names, dates, key concepts and themes, recommendations for further reading, etc.--on a topic. The print reference collection is on the main floor of McCabe, but we also have an increasing number of electronic reference books that you can access through Tripod.

A keyword search option can turn up published primary sources. Try entering terms like "correspondence," "diary" or "diaries," "records" and "documents."

 

There are also some words to look out for in LC subject headings that will alert you to possible primary sources.  These subheadings include:

 

• "--Sources"
• "--Personal Narratives"
• "--Description and Travel"
• "--Facsimiles"
• "--Charters, Grants, Privileges"
• "--early works to 1800"
• "--periodicals"
• "--Interviews"
• "--Correspondence"
• "--Pamphlets"

Tripod is the shared library catalog of Swarthmore, Bryn Mawr, and Haverford Colleges, and it contains information about books, government documents, films, special collections, and much more. 

Start with a keyword search to find books on your topic.  When you've located a relevant book, there are several strategies you can use to find additional related works. The first is to consult the book's bibliography; the second is to search by the subject headings you find in the Tripod record. These are near the bottom of the record, and if you click on the links, you'll find other books classified with the same subject heading.  Subject headings can be broad (such as Witchcraft) or narrower in focus (such as Trials (Witchcraft) -- Massachusetts -- Salem -- History -- 17th Century).

Books are shelved by the Library of Congress (LC) classification system.  When you've found books in Tripod, write down the entire call number--you'll need it to locate the book on the shelf.   A-G call numbers are on the lower level of McCabe (below the main floor).  H-K call numbers are on Level 2 (one floor up from the main floor) and L-Z call numbers are on Level 3 (two floors up). 

If a book is in Tripod but isn't available at Swarthmore (either because our copy is checked out or because it's held just by Bryn Mawr or Haverford), you can request it by clicking on the orange "request" button in the item record. See the section below about requesting from other libraries for more details.

Although you can search Tripod to find out if we have particular scholarly journals, the catalog doesn't contain information about individual articles within those journals.  To locate articles, use one of our indexes or full-text databases, and click on the Find It! button to determine if we have access to the article you need either online or in print, or if you'll have to request it from another library. The resources below are recommended starting points for your research:

Trico
Request items from Bryn Mawr and Haverford by clicking on the "request" button in Tripod. Use your name and the barcode from the back of your student ID.  Your requested materials will generally arrive at Swarthmore in 1-2 days. Keep in mind that items in special collections are usually for in-house use only, which means that you'll have to go to Bryn Mawr or Haverford to use them.

EZ-Borrow
You can also request items from our regional partner libraries using EZ-Borrow. Again, you'll need your 14-digit barcode number to make a request.  These items usually arrive on campus in 3-5 days.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
If you can't get what you need from the Trico or EZ-Borrow libraries, our interlibrary loan specialists can help you--fill out an ILL request form, but keep in mind that these materials could take several weeks to arrive on campus.

Journal Articles
You can request journal articles from other libraries, too. Fill out the article request form, even for journals that are at Bryn Mawr or Haverford.

If you're unsure of which service to use, check out this guide to Tri-College Borrowing and Interlibrary Loan.