Alaska History

Use the library catalog to find books and DVDs that are physically located in the library. 

If you know the title of a book, do a TITLE search. To locate the book on the shelf, you need its call number. Also look at the status to determine if the book is available for checkout.

To locate books on specific topics, do a SUBJECT or WORDS OR PHRASE search in the online catalog. Subject headings must be constructed in an exact way, according to the Library of Congress method, so WORDS OR PHRASE (keyword) searching may be easier.

Examples of Library of Congress subject headings: 

• Alaska - Annexation to the United States (used instead of Alaska purchase)
• Russians - Alaska - History
• Alaska - History - to 1867
• Alaska - History 1867-1959

Using a WORDS OR PHRASE search allows you to combine words of your choosing to search for topics. Sometimes the results are less precise than a subject search but always worth trying. 

• Alaska and politics
• Russians and Alaska

If you are looking for information about a person, do a SUBJECT search by the person's name, last name first.

• Peratrovich, Elizabeth
• Egan, William A.

Primary sources:

Documents or physical objects which were written or created during a time under study.  These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event.  Primary sources are records of events as they are first described, without any interpretation or commentary.   Examples of primary sources include:

• ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS – diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies
• CREATIVE WORKS – art, poetry, music, novels
• RELICS OR ARTIFACTS – pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings

Secondary sources:

interpret and analyze primary sources.  They are one or two more steps removed from the event.  They often attempt to describe or explain primary sources.  Examples of secondary sources include:

• PUBLICATIONS – textbooks, magazine articles, criticisms, commentaries, encyclopedias, dictionaries

Adapted from Princeton University’s Primary vs. Secondary Sources website

Help!  I need a book not owned by the library. 

If you find a citation for a book that the library does not own, you have options to get that book.

1.  Ask a librarian for help.  Librarians are experts in finding books for you.  We may be able to get a book in 48 - 72 hours at no charge to you!

2.  Search for the "Title" of a book in WorldCat. WorldCat shows you which libraries own a particular book, and shows the Alaska libraries at the top of the list.

3.  Interlibrary Loan -  we can order a book for you from another library.  Turn around time may be 7 - 10 days, so this is probably not your fastest option.

Work with a librarian, and you will save both time and money and eliminate the frustration factor.