Reference Reviews

Reference for Students

Social Issues Primary Sources Collection

One way librarians working with youth can encourage them to check their resources rather than accept what they find online is to provide them with access to primary sources. With the volumes in this series, the student can read what was in publication at the time of the event. This then can be matched to facts and statements found on Web sites, in blogs and wikis to track similarities and differences.

Entries in each of these volumes include the title (which is usually the primary source title), subtitle and type (book, letter, poem or other). Key facts include the author or artist, date, source citation and notes about the person. An introduction gives the historical background, focus and contributing factors surrounding the primary source. The text of the primary source, full or excerpted, is followed by a discussion of its significance. Articles end with lists of further resources including books, periodicals, Web sites and audio and visual materials. Format is explained in some volumes for APA, Chicago, MLA, and Terabian styles which will help students learn differences between bibliographic entries. A few black-and-white photographs, drawings, charts and political cartoons illustrate the texts.

Environmental Issues: Essential Primary Sources
Family in Society: Essential Primary Sources
Human and Civil Rights: Essential Primary Sources
Immigration and Multiculturalism: Essential Primary Sources