What are primary sources?
Answer
Primary sources are documents, artifacts, images, or other materials that provide a firsthand account of an event or topic. These materials were created at the time of the event being researched by people with direct experience of the time, topic, or event you are researching. Primary sources are original materials. Examples can include items such as diaries, letters, meeting minutes, photographs, oral histories, audiovisual footage, newspaper articles, or other items.
Learn more about Primary Sources with the Library of Congress.
Special Collections and Archives provides archival collections for research use. Our collections document local 20th century history, the University of Baltimore history, and more.
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Learn more about primary sources and how to use Special Collections and Archives in your research with this online guide. Check out the attached video to learn more about primary sources and Special Collections and Archives.