Much of the research you will do in this course will be based on primary sources. The Libraries at Smith and the Five Colleges have incredible primary source collections about the history of education and Progressive social movements. This guide to library resources will help you get started.

What is a primary source?

Primary sources are artifacts created at the time of an event or historical moment, by the people who experienced or witnessed it.  These can include:

• personal documents such as letters, manuscripts, diaries, journals
• newspapers
• maps
• speeches, interviews
• government documents
• photographs, audio or video recordings

Check out suggested collections of primary sources.

What is a secondary source?

Secondary sources are documents written after the fact, to interpret an event, person, topic, or moment - usually providing analysis and context. Examples include: 

• Newspaper articles
• Journal and magazine articles
• Encyclopedias
• Books

Explore secondary sources available through our catalog.

Discover: Start here for books, articles & more.

• Use "Login for full access" at the top of the screen and enter your Smith login.

Discover Advanced Search includes limiting options.