Primary sources are the evidence of history, original records or objects created by participants or observers at the time historical events occurred or even well after events, as in memoirs and oral histories. These sources serve as the raw materials historians use to interpret and analyze the past.

Primary sources may include but are not limited to: letters, manuscripts, diaries, journals, newspapers, maps, speeches, interviews, documents produced by government agencies, photographs, audio or video recordings, born-digital items (e.g. emails), research data, and objects or artifacts (such as works of art or ancient roads, buildings, tools, and weapons).

To get started finding primary sources, we have created a research guide to help you get started finding primary sources at UIS.

If you need further help, you can contact us at the Library Main Desk in person or over the phone (217-206-6606). Members of our SPARK team are available Tuesdays-Thursdays 6-9pm at the main desk who can help with research questions. Additionally, you can contact the history liaison librarian for more in-depth help.