Searching

Navigating the Library of Congress Website

The Library of Congress has a vast digital archive of primary and secondary sources in a variety of digital formats. Although not limited to American sources, there is a predominance of items from U.S. History from the early 1800s to the early 1900s. It can be challenging to navigate and search these vast archives. This is a brief tutorial on how to find specific digital treasures to use in your classroom.

Don’t think this is like Google, where you can type in lots of words or phrases (including misspellings) and then arrive at encyclopedia like results. The Library of Congress does not use auto correct or spell check. Search by one keyword such as Lincoln or a very short phrase such as Lincoln Presidential Campaign 1860.

To get started searching watch the two short videos listed below that were created by the Education Outreach Department at the Library of Congress.

Exploring LOC.gov - This film highlights the Library's online collections and provides searching techniques to better navigate the Library's Web site. (3:36) Transcript

Planning A Search - This short film introduces the search function of the Library of Congress website and offers suggestions for search terms. (2:21) Transcript

READ ABOUT IT

When you complete a simple search on the Library's Home page, you can limit the search by format (i.e., map, manuscript, photograph) in the dropdown menu to the left of the search text box. When the results list appears, you will see a list of filters on the left had side that can be used to narrow your search further. These filters include date, location, Part of ....(Collection or Exhibit) and Access Availability.

In addition to searching for primary sources from the LOC.GOV home page, the following blog entries will provide ideas for searching by standards and inside digital collections such as Chronicling America and Today in History. When you read about Chronicling America, be sure to scroll down and read the comments made by David Hicks, one of the TPS facilitators from Virginia Tech. The link given in the blog about Today In History will take you to the entry for the current date. It is also useful to search the entire Today in History collection of 365 entries.

Searching by Standards
Searching inside Chronicling America
Searching the Today in History Collection.

An alternative to searching from the Library's home page is to use an Advanced Google Search that uses the Google search engine but limits your search to one specific website. You do this by opening Google and typing your keyword or search phrase followed by site:loc.gov. Example: Trail of Tears site:loc.gov This narrows your search to the Library's archives of primary sources and has the advantage of including only results that have been curated by expert librarians and educators.

WRITE ABOUT IT

Record your responses here.

Choose your own topic to search for on the Library Home Page loc.gov. Narrow the results by using the filters provided on the left side of the search results list for format, date, location, subject, part of and access condition. Pick a topic that aligns with your local curriculum or personal interest.
After searching from the Library's Home page, try the same search by Standards, Chronicling America and Today in History. Then try an Advance Google search that uses the Google search engine but limits the results to loc.gov. (Example: Trail of Tears site:loc.gov)
What did you learn and what questions do you have about searching and navigating at the Library of Congress?

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