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Syracuse University Libraries

Art Resources: Books, primary and secondary sources

Finding Books at Syracuse University Libraries

If the library does not have what you need

Dissertations

What is a primary resource?

Primary sources allow researchers to get as close as possible to original ideas, events and empirical studies as possible. Such sources may include expositions of creative ideas, first hand or contemporary accounts of events, publication of the results of empirical observations or studies, and other items that may form the basis of further research.

Examples include: Novels, plays, poems, works of art, popular culture diaries, narratives, autobiographies, memoirs, speeches Government documents, patents Data sets, technical reports, experimental research results

What is a secondary resource?

Secondary sources analyze, review or restate information in primary resources or other secondary resources. Even sources presenting facts or descriptions about events are secondary unless they are based on direct participation or observation. Moreover, secondary sources often rely on other secondary sources and standard disciplinary methods to reach results, and they provide the principle sources of analysis about primary sources.

Examples include: Biographies Review articles and literature reviews Scholarly articles that don't present new experimental research results Historical studies

What is a tertiary resource?

Tertiary resources provide overviews of topics by synthesizing information gathered from other resources. Tertiary resources often provide data in a convenient form or provide information with context by which to interpret it.

Examples include: Encyclopedias Chronologies Almanacs Textbooks

Call Numbers in the Arts

N - Visual Arts

NA - Architecture

NB -Sculpture

NC - Drawing/Design

ND - Painting

NE - Print Media

NX - Arts in General

TR - Photography  located at Carnegie Library

TS - Manufactures/Design located at Canegie Library

TT - Handicrafts/Fashion located at Carnegie Library