A primary source is a document, speech, or other type of evidence written, created or otherwise produced during the time under study. Examples include autobiographies, diaries, e-mail, interviews, letters, audio and film recordings, photographs, and websites and other online content.
A secondary source provides interpretation and analysis of primary sources. Secondary sources are one step removed from the original event. Examples include encyclopedias, databases, literary criticism, magazine or newspaper articles, and textbooks.
The majority of the items in SCRC are considered primary sources, although secondary sources may be found in the collections as well.
Artifacts: A physical object that is made or modified by human culture.
Bound Periodicals: Bound periodicals are issues of journals or magazines arranged together between two hardcovers.
Broadside: A single sheet with information printed on one side that is intended to be posted, publicly distributed, or sold. (Example)
Ephemera: Materials, usually printed documents, created for a specific, limited purpose, and generally designed to be discarded after use.
Manuscripts: The dictionary definition of a manuscript is a handwritten document. "Manuscripts" can also refer to unpublished documents, prepublication drafts of published works, and collections of personal papers or corporate records. Within this broader definition, typescripts and inscriptions can also be considered manuscripts. Some manuscripts also include illustrations. The manuscript collections housed at SCRC include musical scores, maps, clay tablets, handwritten letters, telegrams, authors' drafts for books and articles, and more.
Memorabilia: Memorabilia refers to any non-manuscript item that has historical/emotional value which can be placed in an archival collection (such as coins, ticket stubs, jewelry, pottery, etc.).
Rare Books: There are many reasons a book may be rare. A rare book may be a book, or an edition of a book, of which very few copies still exist. A book can also be called rare when it is part of an important edition or has special physical characteristics, such as binding, provenance, inscription, or association with important previous owners.
Scrapbooks: A scrapbook is a book in which various items (such as newspaper clippings or pictures) are collected.
Serials: A serial is a publication that is issued in parts indefinitely over time. Serials include periodicals, almanacs, annual reports, etc.
Transcripts: A transcript is a written, printed, or typed copy of dictated or recorded material.
Many of the definitions here are taken or adapted from the Society of American Archivists' Dictionary of Archives Terminology. Refer to this dictionary for additional terminology that you encounter at SCRC that you're unfamiliar with. For rare print materials, John Carter's ABC for Book Collectors, available online (8th edition) or in print in SCRC's Reading Room, is a useful source.
