Escalators in the Main Library

History - Research Tools

Databases

Accessible Archives

Good for genealogical and other historical research, Accessible Archives includes the Civil War database, with the full text of major articles from The New York herald, The Charleston mercury and The Richmond enquirer covering November 1, 1860–April 15, 1865; The African American Newspapers database contains seven of the major African American newspapers of the 19th centu

Africa: An Encyclopedia for Students

 This searchable encyclopedia includes articles on animals, foods, holidays and festivals, tribal groups, ecology, music and art, trade and the economy, geography, religion, folklore, and more.

African American Experience


A large searchable database which provides information on such topics as history, biography, literature, music, pop culture, folklore, business, slavery, civil rights, politics, and religion.

American Civil War Reference Library

American Civil War Reference Library offers comprehensive and wide ranging research options on this compelling era of American history. Material in each of the three titles has been reviewed by an independent advisory board for its curriculum relevance and its accessibility to students in grades 6-12.

American Home Front in World War II

American Home Front in World War II examines the effect of World War II on people living in America. The Almanac discusses major events on the home front, including the changing role of women, Civil Defense and the draft. Biographies highlights 26 key figures, such as John L. Lewis, J. Robert Oppenheimer and others.

American Revolution Reference Library


Students will find much of the information they need for reports and class assignments on the Revolutionary period, including biographies and primary source materials in this comprehensive set easily accessed from the excellent e-index.

American Slavery Resource

The American Slave is a collection of thousands of interviews with former slaves conducted under the Works Progress Administration, primarily in the 1930s. Dr. George P. Rawick researched, collected and edited these narratives from the individual state archives into the three series of more than forty volumes that make up The American Slave.

American Social Reform Movements Reference Library

This four-volume set chronicles and illustrates movements from the American Revolution to the present day. Intended to help students successfully complete research and projects.

Ancient Civilizations Reference Library

The ancient civilizations of Iraq, Egypt, India, China, Central America and other regions are the focus of this remarkable contribution to student reference.

Bowling, Beatniks and Bell-Bottoms: Pop Culture of 20th-Century America

The hairstyles, slang terms, advertising jingles, pop music sensations, and all else described as popular culture is covered in this five-volume reference. Arranged chronologically by decade and by broad topics within each decade, this set focuses solely on the popular culture of the twentieth century, offering more detailed information on trends and fads than any other resource.

CDs, Super Glue and Salsa: How Everyday Products are Made, Series 3

Provides descriptions of household and high-interest products, step-by-step descriptions of manufacturing processes, and sidebars with additional information. Covers for each entry: why there was a need, who invented it, how it is made, what it is made of, and how it works. Includes photographs, illustrations and line drawings, and a glossary of definitions.

Cold War Reference Library

Covers the Cold War period between the Western powers and the Communist bloc from the end of World War II through 1989. Includes discussion of the historic causes of the tension and information on the lives and actions of major figures, such as Harry Truman, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin.

Colonial America Reference Library

The Colonial America Reference Library provides students with the comprehensive information on the Colonial American period they need to write reports and class assignments including biographical profiles and primary source documents.

Contemporary Fashion


Arranged alphabetically by name, this searchable encyclopedia covers individual designers and fashion houses that have been active throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Informative essays mirror the many facets of the fashion world.

 

Crusades Reference Library

The three-volume The Crusades covers everything from the First Crusade (1095-99) through the Ninth Crusade (1271-72).

Cultures of the World book series

Cultures of the World introduces readers to the culture—economy, government, history, lifestyle, and more—of countries the world over. Written for 3rd through 6th grade students it is a handy resource for elementary school level research about the world cultures. Also included in this resource: It's my State  and Superchef series.

Daily Life through History

 What did people eat, wear, or use? What did they hope for, invent, and sing? These are the kinds of questions students of history always ask, and it is precisely what is missing in many available reference resources. A landmark family of reference products, Daily Life Online explores ordinary life through time and across the globe.

Development of the Industrial U.S. Reference Library

In the second half of the 19th century, America transformed itself into an industrial power, ready to assume a dominant position on the world scene in the 20th century.

Early Civilizations in the Americas Reference Library

This reference library provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the regions of the American continents in which two of the world's first civilizations developed: Mesoamerica (the name for the lands in which ancient civilizations arose in Central America and Mexico) and the Andes Mountains region of South America (in present-day Peru and parts of Bolivia, northern Argentina, and Ecuad

Elizabethan World Reference Library


Covers the broad sweep of the culture of the times, from Elizabeth's court to rural life, and from the New World explorations to the literature and drama for which the era is renowned.

Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History, 2nd ed.


Uses biographies, historical essays, and thematic pieces to cover all aspects of the African-American experience from 1619 to the present day. Addresses a wide array of subjects in over 2,300 articles.

Encyclopedia of Children and Childhood in History and Society


This searchable encyclopedia presents the social and cultural history of childhood from antiquity to the present through articles on education, parenting, child labor, economics, images of childhood, children's literature, play, toys and games, health, physiology, law, the criminal justice system and social welfare. Comparative articles include information about childhood in cultures throughout the world.

Encyclopedia of Clothing and Fashion


Fully searchable, this encyclopedia presents alphabetically arranged entries including clothing, body adornment, the origins of clothing, the development of fabrics and technologies, and the social meanings of dress.

Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence and Security


A searchable encyclopedia which provides a subject specific guide to the history, uses, scientific principles, and technologies of espionage, intelligence, and security.

Encyclopedia of Food and Culture


Presents 600 articles on food and its place in human culture and society, covering everything from agronomy to zucchini in entries that range from 250 to 10,000 words each and are supplemented by 400 photographs and illustrations, sidebars, recipes, menus, timelines, and a comprehensive index.

Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World


This encyclopedia looks at Islam's role in the modern world through thematic articles, biographies of key figures, definitions, illustrations, maps and more, doing so in context of the religion's history and development over the last 13 centuries.

Encyclopedia of Popular Culture


Presents more than 2,700 signed essays ranging from 500 to 2,500 words, written by subject experts and including subject-specific bibliographies, photographs and textual cross-references to related essays. Provided by DISCUS.

Encyclopedia of the Great Depression


This wide-ranging, multidisciplinary encyclopedia features entries on Depression-era politics, government, business, economics, literature, the arts, society, and culture. Articles are arranged alphabetically by topic and the encyclopedia is fully searchable.

Fashion, Costume and Culture: Clothing, Headwear, Body Decorations, and Footwear Through the Ages


Alphabetically arranged searchable articles provide a broad overview of costume traditions of diverse cultures from prehistoric times to the present day by examining more than 430 items of human decoration and adornment.

Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. Economic History


A searchable, comprehensive accounting of the history of the United States economy. Designed to answer such key questions as: How has the U.S. Constitution shaped the economy of the United States? What were the consequences of Prohibition on consumers' behavior?

Harlem Renaissance

This authoritative resource presents the people, places and times that defined an era and documents the launch of cultural development among African Americans in 1920s Harlem. This single volume contains almanac and biographies sections with primary source documents in sidebars throughout.

Industrial Revolution Reference Library

Covers the ideas and social turmoil that marked this transition as well as the machines, manufacturing processes and energy sources that spurred it on.

It's my State ebook series

The It's My State series is a great source of quick and reliable information that identifies what is common to and unique about each state in the USA. Written for 3rd through 6th grade students, it is a handy resource for elementary school level research about the states. Also included in this resource: Cultures of the World  and Suprchef series.

Middle East Conflict Reference Library

Designed to meet the pressing need for a lucid, comprehensive and objective overview of the people, events and documents that are key to understanding the region.

Opposing Viewpoints in Context

 Brings together information from both sides of social issues, such as Gun Control, Genetic Engineering, Censorship, Endangered Species, and Terrorism.

Prejudice in the Modern World Reference Library

Explores the many different types of prejudice, their history, what causes these prejudices in people and societies, and their consequences. Presents profiles of diverse and unique men and women who played key roles in the history of prejudice.

Reconstruction Era Reference Library

The three-volume Reconstruction Era Reference Library provides targeted information on post-Civil War America, from the end of the war in 1865 to the Compromise of 1877.

Renaissance and Reformation Reference Library

This resource brings the people and the events of the Renaissance and Reformation to life for today's students. Covering everything from Luther's Revolt to the writings of Shakespeare, the Renaissance and Reformation Reference Library fills the need for comprehensive coverage of this amazing time.

Renaissance: an Encyclopedia for Students

 Focuses on Renaissance-era topics via essays, topical timelines, a bibliography with age-appropriate further reading sources, and a comprehensive index. Entries are alphabetically arranged and searchable.

Roaring Twenties Reference Library

The Roaring Twenties Reference Library chronicles and illustrates a time of great social change in everything from fashion to music to politics.

Salem History

Including the Fifties, Sixties and Eighties in America, Salem History examines the iconic personalities and moments of these decades with over 300 photographs of each decade's people and events, as well as numerous graphs, charts and sidebars highlight facts and trends from the era. Written for students and general readers. 

Shaping of America 1783-1815 Reference Library

This collection chronicles and illustrates the important period between 1783-1815 when America forged its place at home and on the international stage.

Sixties in America Reference Library

The Sixties in America Reference Library presents a broad overview of the turbulent 1960s, a decade that forever changed the American social, political and cultural landscape.

South Carolina Historical Newspapers Collection

The SC Historical Newspapers is a custom collection of early SC newspapers spanning the years from 1783 to 1848 and the State Newspaper covering the years 1891-1922.

Space Exploration Reference Library

From Chinese rockets of the 11th century to the latest developments in modern space travel, the four-volume Space Exploration Reference Library provides a wealth of information on this still-emerging science.

Superchef book series

Superchef introduces readers to the cuisine and culture of countries the world over. Written for 3rd through 6th grade students it includes clear explanations of cooking techniques and safety. Readers will be able to cook their own dishes while learning more about the culture it comes from. Also included in this resource: It's my State  and Cultures of the World series.

Supreme Court Drama: Cases That Changed America

Profiles major U.S. Supreme Court decisions that have made a significant impact on American society. Each volume is organized by broad legal principles such as individual liberties, criminal justice, equal protection, and business and government law.

Television in American Society Reference Library

Focused on a popular topic, this exciting collection gives students and teachers substantial material for discussion and research. The three-volume set shows how television has reflected and influenced American society and culture throughout its history, covering both positive and negative effects.

Terrorism Reference Library

This 3-vol. set provides students with an understanding of the complex issue of global terrorism.

U.S. History in Context


Comprehensive coverage of more than 50 of the most-studied topics in U.S. history such as the War of 1812, Revolutionary War, Civil War, Madison administration, World War I and II, post Cold War, etc. Includes encyclopedias, primary materials and Complete full-text coverage of approximately 65 periodicals. Covers U.S. history from colonial times to the present.

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