Why Use Books?
Books are a great resource to use when searching for general information on a topic. They are useful for understanding a topic in its context and provide summaries of existing research as well as offer a historical perspective.
Books are best found using the Search feature in our Library Catalogue.
Research Guides
E-Books
Building Nations from Diversity by Publication Date: 2014
Calculated Kindness by Publication Date: 2004
Cultivating Connections by Publication Date: 2014
Library Catalogue
Scholarly books are a great resource - watch this video to learn how to recognize one. (2:29)
This video explains how to enter keywords into the catalogue to find books on a particular topic. (1:13)
This video shows you how to search by book title using the library catalogue. (0:47)
Relevant Call Numbers
Our books are arranged according to the Library of Congress Classification system. When looking for books on Immigration it is a good idea to start with Subclass JV- Colonies and colonization. Emigration and Immigration. International Migration.
Subclasses that may be of interest to you include:
JV 6403-7127 US
JV 7590-8339.7 Canada, Latin America, etc.
Guarding the Gates by Publication Date: 2007
With Scarcely a Ripple by Publication Date: 1998
The FC Class is an independent schedule for Canadian history that was designed to operate alongside the Library of Congress Classification system. It was created to supplement Canadian history wherein Class F of the L.O.C. was lacking.
Subclasses that may be of interest to you include:
FC 97-145 Canadians. Elements in the population
FC 2001-4200 Canadian local history
Families, Lovers, and Their Letters by Publication Date: 2010
Holocaust Survivors in Canada by Publication Date: 2015
Immigrants in Prairie Cities by Publication Date: 2009
Historiography
What?
Historiography examines a collection of historical writings on a particular topic and analyzes the different approaches to and interpretations of the topic. It also recognizes the major thinkers and arguments surrounding the topic as well as any major changes that have risen in approaching the topic over time.
Why?
Historiography operates as a dialogue between historians that emphasizes the main points of the discussion and informs the reader of the most important facets of the dialogue and in this way demonstrates the author's authority on the topic.
How?
It is important to become familiar with your topic on a broader scale. Your historiography should then establish and connect the major thinkers and arguments on your topic.
(adapted from: http://www.trentu.ca/history/workbook/historiography.php)
Historiography by Call Number: D 13 .C576 2012
Historiography by Call Number: D 13 .S635 2007
