Finding Library Materials

Library Catalog

The Library's online catalog is often the most useful place to begin your research. It will allow you to search for materials in many different ways (e.g., author, title, subject, keyword, call number, etc.). One useful way to start is to identify subject headings (found in the multiple volumes of the Library of Congress Subject Headings, Z695.L695 +, on the Main Floor of the W.E.B. Du Bois Library). Some of the more useful subject headings follow. Note: this list is by no means exhaustive but only meant to suggest some of the many subject headings which can be used.

African Americans (used for Blacks who are citizens of the United States or permanent residents)

African American ____________ (e.g., African American entertainers)

African Americans in _____________ (e.g., African Americans in motion pictures)

Blacks (used for Blacks who temporarily reside in the United States (e.g., students from abroad; works on Blacks living elsewhere in the world are to be found under Blacks-- ____________(e.g., Blacks--France)

Call Number Locations

Information on Afro American studies can be found throughout the Library of Congress's classification system (the one we employ in the University Libraries). The subject of the work is the most important determinant as to where an item will be found, but the following Library of Congress call numbers mark areas where a significant number of books, journals, and other materials can be found:

E 184.5 - E 185.98 (history of African Americans in the United States) 14th floor, W.E.B. Du Bois Library

PS 508 .N3 (collections of literature by African Americans) 11th floor, W.E.B. Du Bois Library

PS 628 .N4 (collections of plays by African Americans) 11th floor, W.E.B. Du Bois Library

PS 591 .N4 (collections of poetry by African Americans) 11th floor, W.E.B. Du Bois Library

PS 153 .N5 (literary history and criticism of works by African Americans) 11th floor, W.E.B. Du Bois Library

Z 1361 .N39 (bibliographies on African American subjects) 21st floor, W.E.B. Du Bois Library