Objectives

• be familiar with the types of materials stored in special collections;
• have examined at least one manuscript, photograph, or other artifact from a collection;
• know something about the history and contents of UNC's Southern Historical Collection;
• have collected books, journal articles, newspaper articles, or other materials for your research project.

Assignments

Oct. 19: Use online catalogs to identify specific sources you will borrow or examine while we are in Chapel Hill

Updated September 25, 2001
© Mark Canada, 2001
mark.canada@uncp.edu

Introduction

I hope that you will approach this trip with two goals in mind.  First, be prepared to collect materials related to your individual research.  Under "Practice" below, I have offered some suggestions for doing some preliminary research.  Each of you can find numerous items--scholary books and journal articles, for example, and perhaps even manuscripts or recordings--that will help you write a thorough scholarly article.  Second, go to Chapel Hill with the expectation of developing your familiarity and understanding of advanced research, particularly special collections.  Regardless of your current research project, take some time to peruse a manuscript or two, to thumb through a first edition from the 17th century, and to take in some of the 19th-century furniture in the North Carolina Collection Gallery.  I think you will be glad you did.

Practice

1. Preliminary Research: At least a week in advance, spend some time identifying materials you wish to examine or borrow while we are in Chapel Hill.  Use UNC-CH's online catalog, for example, to find call numbers of books you wish to borrow from Davis Library.  Use the Web site of the Southern Historical Collection to identify manuscripts, recordings, or other materials that you can examine.  If you have a specific question about manuscripts or other materials housed in the special collections, e-mail Laura Clark Brown.  Prepare a checklist that you can bring with you and use to make the best use of your time.
2. 11 a.m.: Presentation in Manuscripts Department: We will meet in the Manuscripts Department on the third floor of Wilson Library.  Laura Clark Brown, head of public services for UNC-CH's Manuscript Department, will discuss the department's collection, as well as special collections in general.  You will have a chance to see and touch collection materials, such as manuscripts or photographs. 
3. 1 p.m.: Lunch at Casual Restaurant on Franklin Street: Bring $10-15 in cash so that you can enjoy lunch with me and your classmates on Chapel Hill's famous Franklin Street.
4. 2-5 p.m.: Individual Research: You will have the rest of the afternoon to collect the sources you have identified on your checklist.  For example, you may want to return to the Manuscripts Department to read some its materials or visit Davis Library, where you can check out books or photocopy journal articles.  I will be available for consultation for most of the afternoon and will be happy to answer questions or help you find materials.

Conclusion