Finding Primary Sources and Digital Collections on the Web: Terminology and Search Tips
Resources to help find primary sources, archival finding aids, digital collections, and more from galleries, libraries, archives, and museums worldwide.
Terminology and Glossaries
The software that runs digital libraries and institutional repositories uses a lot of archival and library jargon. These can help.
- A Glossary of Archival and Records Terminology(Society of American Archivists, searchable)
- ACRL Multilingual Glossary of Terms(Association of College & Research Libraries)
May be of use if you are searching digital libraries in other languages, other countries.
Search Terms and "Controlled Vocabularies"
Searches not returning what you think they should? Maybe you need to rephrase your search terms. These can help.
- Library of Congress AuthoritiesSearches:
- Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH)
- Library of Congress Name Authority File (LCNAF) – people, companies, etc.
- Thesaurus of Graphic Materials (TGM)
and more. - Getty Vocabularies (The Getty Research Institute)Includes:
- Art and Architecture Thesaurus (AAT)
- Cultural Objects Name Authority (i.e. Do I search on “Mona Lisa” or “La Gioconda?”)
- Thesaurus of Greographic Names (TGN)
- Union List of Artist Names (ULAN) (i.e. Do I search using “Titian” or “Tiziano Vecellio?”)
Digital Initiatives Librarian
Jeanne Pavy
Contact:
Room 205
Earl K. Long Library
University of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA 70148
504.280.6547
Earl K. Long Library
University of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA 70148
504.280.6547