Archives 101

Celia Caust-Ellenbogen
Associate Curator (Friends Historical Library)

HIST 126A, Prof. Megan Brown, Fall 2025

Intro to primary sources & archives

Using the Archives & Manuscripts catalog to find sources at Swarthmore

Archival research tips

Resources for more information

What kinds of sources can you find in Special Collections?

From individual people and families:
- letters, diaries, scrapbooks / photo albums

- collections of "personal papers"

Organizations create records through the course of doing their work:

   • Notes/minutes taken during meetings

   • Newsletters, annual reports, other publications

   • Photographs taken of speeches or protest marches

You'll hear these records referred to as the archives of the organization.

Venn diagram highlighting topics represented in Friends Historical Library (FHL), College Archives (SCA), and Peace Collection (SCPC). FHL: Quaker history & spirituality; Native American History. SCPC: Internationalism. SCA & Rare Book Room: Artists' books, Swarthmore Borough history. FHL & SCPC: Peace, nonviolence, pacifism, and conscientious objection. FHL & SCA: Swarthmore College History. All: African-American history; Women's History.

https://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/

This information is about the collection overall

This is the contents of the collection. Click on any item to learn more.

Click this button to get all the info you need to request materials

Your turn!

Navigate to the Archives & Manuscripts catalog

Try a keyword and find a collection of interest

Notice what college/library you would visit to see the collection

Prepare for your visit

Do:

  • Schedule an appointment
  • Request materials in advance
  • Talk to the archivist(s)

Don't:

  • Bring food or drink
  • Bring pens
  • Forget to record/photograph citation info!
  • Handle materials carefully
  • Place folders/materials flat on the table
  • Keep folders and pages in order

Swarthmore College Special Collections website

https://www.swarthmore.edu/libraries/special-collections 

Using Archives and Special Collections (Tri-Co) Research Guide

https://guides.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/using-special-collections​

  • Link to our catalogs and appointment booker
  • Get tips on navigating our catalogs
  • Learn archival research skills: how to cite archival materials, read handwriting, evaluate primary sources

Get paid to use primary sources
Seniors not eligible - sorry!


 

Black History & Genealogy Fellowship

 Apply via Academic Division Opportunities in January/February

  • Complete a semi-independent project
  • $6,000 to work full time, 10 weeks, in summer

Summer Library/Archives Assistants

 Apply on JobX in February

  • Work FULL TIME in our relaxed (and cool!) spaces
  • Try out a variety of projects behind the scenes


Moore Student Fellowship

 Apply in March

  • Earn $400-$600 stipend for 20-30 research hours
  • Choose YOUR topic using archival resources 


What's next?

• Today: Sahr will propose some topics for your class's research workshop

• After class: Search the TriCo Archives & Manuscripts catalog archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu to select a box you're interested in, on that topic, held at Swarthmore

• Oct. 1: Submit your request to specialcollections@swarthmore.edu and CC Prof. Brown

• Nov 5: Pop-up Reading Room experience during class