Thursday, 4 October 2012

Six Spots That Have Black History Books

By Juliette Cruz


When embarking on black historical research, a major point of reference for someone is books. Naturally, this is not surprising since books are filled with information from centuries earlier. Some people want historical material not just for school research but for genealogy study and to assist them with planning events related to black studies. Those that desire the most complete information available to them can find black history books in several settings.

Visit a public library. Public libraries have books about black history along with their general reference area. Some libraries have specialized collections in this area. Consider visiting libraries that offer help with genealogy research. Furthermore, in regards to your specific focus, browse the art, travel, sports and art sections for additional information.

Visit a college library. Search online for colleges and universities that have special collections devoted to your particular area of interest. If you do not live in the area, inquire about possible loan services with nearby libraries. Colleges that do not have special collections may still have material not available at your local library.

Attend a book festival or book fair. Book festivals are a great way to find more recently published editions and bestsellers. These events often feature author signings, lectures, entertainment as well as numerous publications for sale. Festivals are generally an annual event held in various cities and towns around the globe. Book fairs are limited-time sales often held in schools.

Visit a bookstore. Search online and offline bookstores for publications. This option may be best when looking for finding new editions and bestsellers. Bookstores may also provide you with some old publications. This is especially true at online retailers or at bookstores that sell hard-to-find and used editions. Publications are usually displayed by subject to help your search. Look through the bookshelves in the store to ascertain if the materials contains what you are in need of.

Take a trip to a museum. Museums are great when looking for rare books. Although most such material cannot be loaned out, you may be able to look over the material while there. Some major museums maintain libraries. Visit museums that are devoted to black studies or major museums with related exhibits.

Plan a trip to a nearby historical society. Many historical societies are concerned with the history of a specific geographic area or subject. They maintain artifacts and publications. It is not uncommon for societies to have reading rooms. Visit a historical society devoted to this subject area for even more information.

Contact private collectors. Some individuals collect historical publications. Some have even amassed collections rivaling public libraries. Check online auctions or the newspaper for listings of moving or estate sales in your area. Sometimes they may make their collection available for public viewing at churches, schools or community centers.

When completing your school assignment or planning a special event, be mindful of several places to acquire information. Choose what places to visit to locate black history books. Start with places that will yield you the most data and go backward.




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