This document provides an overview of using archives for research. It discusses that archives contain unique and unpublished materials that may require visiting the archive in person. It recommends developing effective search strategies and keeping notes on new concepts and terms. The document also introduces several key online resources for finding archive collections, including the Archives Hub, Copac, and various national and regional archives catalogs. Researchers are encouraged to utilize these tools to efficiently search across numerous archive holdings in one place and find relevant contact and visitation details.

1. Using Archives
Lisa Jeskins, Library & Archival Services
Postgraduates, ESPaCH, University of Salford. Wed 9th Nov 2011

2. What do you know
about archives?

3. "If an item does not
appear in our
records, it does not
exist."
Jocasta Nu – Jedi
Librarian, Star Wars:
The Clone Wars
From: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Jocasta_Nu

4. • Archives and Special
Collections Libraries
• No ONE place
• Unique and unpublished
materials
• Not always available
electronically
• May need to visit/make an
appt/take notes Conservator at work:
http://flickr.com/photos/germanparra/

5. Search Strategy Reminder
Key concepts > Synonyms > Be flexible
• Too many results? Narrow your search by adding terms (with AND
etc.) e.g.
o culture
o culture AND communism
• Too few results? Broaden your search or change your term e.g.
o Post-colonialism and human rights
o Human rights
Tip – keep a notebook when you’re reading and write down new terms/new
ways of describing your concepts as you come across them

6. Why use the Archives Hub?
“The Archives Hub searches across a broad range
of archives, provides detailed collection and often
item information, which is invaluable, and in
addition, the direct details for contacting and
visiting the archives, all in one place. This saves me
time and makes my research more efficient.”
Postgraduate student, Medieval Studies

7. Archives Hub
• Search archives
descriptions from nearly
200 UK institutions.
• Collections on the Hub
range from the archives of
industries, institutions and
researchers to the letters
and manuscripts of writers
and poets.

8. Copac
• Copac provides free access
to merged online
catalogues of nearly 60
libraries in the UK and
Ireland
• Includes the British Library ,
English Short Title
Catalogue and several
special collections libraries.

9. Online Sources for Archives
• National Register of Archives
(National)
• A2A (National, not updated)
• Aim 25 (London)
• Janus (Cambridge)

10. Any questions?