Research Tips
Below are a list of tips to assist patrons in using resources within of the Department of Archives and Special Collections at the University of Mississippi.
Catalog
The University of Mississippi catalog is the first place to check for information about our holdings. For printed and other resources, the online catalog of the University of Mississippi may be consulted.
- Advanced Search Option: Choosing the “advanced search” option, researchers can limit the catalog search by location to “Special Collections” or “Special Collections — Blues.” Most volumes will reflect the department’s collection focus on Mississippi, the Blues, and the University of Mississippi; however, the repository also holds a number of rare volumes in other areas.
Archival Finding Aids
More detailed records for manuscript and special collections are often available in archival finding aids (both linked to the catalog record and searchable separately). These finding aids are online descriptive tools which serve as the primary point of intellectual access to archival collections in archives and manuscript repositories. You can browse or search these extensive guides to over 600 collections. Please note that archival finding aids have been created for only a small subset of our collections.
Subject Guides
May provide helpful direction if you are beginning a research project. Please note that these guides provide highlights, not comprehensive lists.
Ask Special Collections
Please note that the Department of Archives & Special Collections also maintains a legacy card catalog and files that might be useful for further identifying resources. Library staff can assist patrons in the use of these files.
Adapted from Duke University Library. Finding Materials. [Updated 25 February 2009; cited 5 october 2009].
