Primary sources are the raw materials of history — original documents and objects which were created at the time under study. They are different from secondary sources, accounts or interpretations of events created by someone without firsthand experience.-- from Library of Congress, “Using Primary Sources”
Examples of primary sources:
artifacts, audio recordings, autobiographies, captains’ logs, diaries, emails, eyewitness accounts, government and organization records, interviews, letters, market surveys, novels, patents, photographs, poems, polls, postcards, proceedings from meetings, reports on discoveries, science experiment data, speeches, videos, weather charts, works of art or music, some websites.
Use this box to search the web for primary sources. Only collections marked with an asterisk (*) in this guide will be searched.
Image from a 12-century illuminated manuscript, the Madrid Skylitzes, is in the public domain.
SLO CAMPUS LIBRARY HOURS
Cuesta library services are currently online. See online library hours for Spring 2021 below. Click for Information about library services.
Monday: 8 am - 8 pm
Tuesday: 8 am - 8 pm
Wednesday: 8 am - 8 pm
Thursday: 8 am - 8 pm
Friday: 8 am - 4 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 2 pm (only Feb 27, Mar 6 & 13, May 8 & 15 in Tutorial Virtual Lobby)
The Open Lab in the library on the SLO campus (building 3200) is open Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 4:30 pm for computers, printing and internet access.
For tech support requests, email support@cuesta.edu
For help getting textbooks and course reserves, email circulation@cuesta.edu
SLO PHONE (voicemail only)
Circulation Desk: (805) 546-3155
Reference Desk: (805) 546-3157
NORTH COUNTY LIBRARY HOURS
Cuesta library services are currently available online. See online library hours for Spring 2021 below. Click for Information about library services.
Monday: 8 am - 8 pm
Tuesday: 8 am - 8 pm
Wednesday: 8 am - 8 pm
Thursday: 8 am - 8 pm
Friday: 8 am - 4 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 2 pm (only Feb 27, Mar 6 & 13, May 8 & 15 in Tutorial Virtual Lobby)
The student computers in the Campus Center (building 1000) will be open Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 5 pm for internet access and printing.
For tech support requests, email support@cuesta.edu
For textbooks and course reserves, email circulation@cuesta.edu
Grateful acknowledgment is given to librarian Kelly L. Smith of the University of California, San Diego for the use of numerous links from her primary sources libguide.
