Selected Resources for Historic Preservation Students
1. Guides to the Literature and Encyclopedias
Buenker, John D.. Urban History: A guide to information sources. Detroit: Gale research Co., 1981. (Olin Reference Z5942.B92)
Dictionary of American History. New York: Scribner; 1976-1978. (Olin Reference +E174.D55 1976; also at ILR Reference and Uris Reference)
Markowitz, Arnold L.. Historic Preservation: A guide to information sources. Detroit: Gale Research Co., 1980. (Fine Arts Z1251.A2 M34; also Fine Arts Permanent Reserve and Hotel)
Schultz, Marilyn Spigel and Kassen, Vivian Loeb. Encyclopedia of Community Planning and Environmental Management. N.Y.: Facts on File, 1984. (Fine Arts HD 108.6 S38; also Mann Reference)
Travers, Jean. Guide to Resources used in Historic Preservation. Washington, D.C.: Preservation Press, 1978. (Fine Arts Z5940.T77)
2. Selected Bibliographies
Besterman, Theodore. A World Bibliography of Bibliographers. Lausanne: Societas Bibliographica, Fourth Edition, 1965. (Olin Reference +Z1002. B56 1965.)
Burnham, Alan. New York City, the Development of the Metropolis: An annotated bibliography. New York: Garland, 1988. (Fine Arts Z1318.N5 B96)
Cline, William Erich. Historic Preservation Literature, 1969-1977: Selected references. Monticello, IL: Council of Planning Librarians, 1978. (Fine Arts Z7164.O7 C85 no. 1457)
Meier, Lauren. Preserving historic landscapes: an annotated bibliography. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Preservation Assistance Division, 1990. (Fine Arts Z5944.U5 M51)
Morales, Leslie Anderson. Historic Designation: A bibliography. Monticello, IL: Vance Bibliographies, 1989. (Fine Arts Z5941.V22 No. 2161)
3. Indexing / Abstracting Services:
Computerized (online or CD-ROM)
ABInform (Library Gateway): Covers 1985 - present; updated monthly. An international business and management database, contains bibliographic citations and abstracts of articles appearing in approximately 1000 professional publications, academic journals and trade magazines published worldwide.
America History & Life (Library Gateway): Covers 1982 - present. Indexes and abstracts over 2.000 journals covering the history of the United States and Canada from prehistoric times to the present.
Art Index (Library Gateway) Covers 1989 - present.
Avery Index (Library Gateway)
Congressional Masterfile (CD-ROM; Library Gateway): Part I 1789-1969; Part II 1970 - present. Provides comprehensive access to Congressional working papers published by the House, Senate and joint committees and sub committees. "Working papers" include hearings, reports, prints, documents, and other special publications of Congress.
Dissertation Abstracts International (Library Gateway): 1989 - present. Indexes and abstracts virtually all doctoral dissertations completed at American universities. Some Canadian and other international dissertations are also included.
EconLit (Library Gateway): 1969 - present. Indexes 260 journals and about 200 books in economics each year. About 25% of the entries have abstracts. This is the CD-ROM version of Economic Literature Index.
NewsBank (Library Gateway): 1981 - present. Indexes selected news articles from over 450 smaller city newspapers; full text available on microfiche.
NEXIS/LEXIS Academic Universe (Library Gateway)
PAIS (Library Gateway): 1972 - present. Has comprehensive coverage of all areas of public policy relating to social, economic and political problems. Provides English language indexing and abstracting of international material in six languages. Formats covered: periodicals, books, documents, hearings, pamphlets, and reports.
Print only
Art and Archaeology Technical Abstracts. New York: 1955 - present. (Fine Arts N8560.I607)
Geographical abstracts. Human geography. Norwich, England: Elsevier/Geo. Abstracts, 1989- present. (Olin +Z6004.P5 G35)
Humanities Index . New York: H. W. Wilson Co., 1974 - present. (Olin Reference +AI3.H91, on table labeled section 11) Quarterly, cumulated annually. Indexes approximately 350 American and Canadian journals in the humanities. Author and subject entries. Includes book reviews as well as articles.
Index to Historic Preservation Periodicals. Boston: G.K. Hall, 1988. (Fine Arts Reference Z5941.I38)
Poole's Index to Periodical Literature, vol 1 - , 1802 - 1881. Supplement 1: 1882 - 1887; Supplement 2: 1887- 1892; Supplement 3: 1892 - 1896; Supplement 4: 1896 - 1902; Supplement 5: 1902 - 1907. (Olin Reference +AI3. P82.) Important Early subject index to American and English periodicals. It is a subject index only. There is a cumulative 1802 - 1906 author index that was published later (Olin Reference +AI3. P824; section 11).
Sage Urban Studies Abstracts. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications, 1973 - present. (Fine Arts HT101.S22; also at ILR) Each issue offers some 250 abstracts of English language books, periodical articles, reports and documents. A section for "related citations" includes similar materials (some in foreign languages) without annotations. Author and subject indexes.
4. Federal & Local Government Materials
Congressional Masterfile (CD-ROM): Part I 1789-1969; Part II 1970 - present. Provides comprehensive access to Congressional working papers published by the House, Senate and joint committees and sub committees. "Working papers" include hearings, reports, prints, documents, and other special publications of Congress.
Index to Current Urban Documents . Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1972 - present. (Olin Reference Z1223.5 A1 I38+; also in Fine Arts.) The index is concerned with county documents and documents of the "largest cities in all the fifty states and territories and Canada". Emphasis is on documents "concerned with public affairs". A geographic listing is followed by a subject index. The documents listed can be found in the Microform Department of Olin Library (Fiche 1157). Earlier documents may be borrowed from the Center for Research Libraries via interlibrary loan.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. Washington, D.C.: O.M.B., 1965 - present. (Olin Reference +HC110.U58; latest copy only. Also available at Fine Arts, ILR, Law, Mann, Annex libraries.) This catalog is a government wide compendium of federal programs, projects, services and activities which provide assistance of benefits to the American public. One intent of the catalog is to improve coordination and communication between federal, state and local government. Cites enabling legislation and gives financial information.
Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications. Washington, D.C.; G.P.O., 1895 - present. (Olin Reference Z1223.A18, in the section labeled 19; can also be searched the Library Gateway.) Lists most publications issued by government agencies. Arrangement is by issuing body and entries ate numbered consecutively. Each issue has a subject, title, and author index. Indexes are cumulated semi-annually, annually, and quinquennially.
5. Statistical Materials
Compilations:
Statistical Abstract of the United States. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Commerce, Social and Economic Statistics Administration, Bureau of the Census, 1898 - present. (Olin HA202; latest volume in Reference. Also available at Fine Arts, Mann, Uris, ILR, Vet, Management, Engineering, Hotel, Law and Africana.) A standard source of statistics on the social, political and economic organization of the United States. Useful also as a guide to other statistical publications and sources. A detailed subject index at the back of the volume provides ready access to the numerous tables. Although much of the data is based on the decennial census, new information is included in each annual edition.
County & City Databook (CD-ROM or print)
Historical Statistics of the United States. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, 1976. (Olin Reference +HA202.A385; also available at Fine Arts, Hotel, ILR, Mann, Management, and Engineering.) Provides summaries of the same type of statistics found in the Statistical Abstract. Economic, business, demographic, educational, etc. Arranged by category. Subject and time period indexes.
Primary Data Sources: (talk to a Reference Librarian)
The Municipal Year Book. Washington, D.C.: International City Management Association, 1934 - present. (Olin Reference JS342.A2 I61; also available at Fine Arts, ILR, Law, Uris, Mann.) An annual publication "which provides local government officials with information on questions and issues associated with local government management". Each year's volume covers different topics and is organized into chapters: Management Issues and Trends; the Intergovernmental Dimension; Staffing and Compensation; Local Government Profiles; Directories; and References.
1990 Census of Population and Housing (CD-ROM and print reports)
Current Housing Reports. H-170 (Olin Reference HD 7293 A49 A58; also at Mann and Fine Arts)
Bibliography:
Statistical Masterfile (Library Gateway). This indexes American and international statistics; it combines American Statistical Index (1973 - present), Index to International Statistics (1963 - present) and Statistical Reference Index (1980 - present).
6. Historical Materials available at Cornell:
Tips for finding historical materials in the online catalog:
Use the subdivision "Sources" with specific subject headings. For example: HISTORIC SITES--UNITED STATES--CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION--SOURCES
To limit a search to archival materials, use the drop-down menu on the Ser Search Limits screen to the Archival Manuscript Format, and enter the phrase HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Library of Congress Subject Headings:
Use: HISTORIC PRESERVATION--<country or state or city>
HISTORIC BUILDINGS--CONSERVATION & RESTORATION
or:
ANTIQUITIES--COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION
CULTURAL PROPERTY, PROTECTION OF
Cornell Library has a large collection of local county and regional histories. Many of these will only be listed in the Card Catalog (located in Olin Library) under the county or region name.
Other ideas for Historic Materials:
Newspapers: ask at the reference desk to see the Newspaper location file
Archives and Manuscripts: personal papers and archival materials will often include regional and local information, photos, etc.
Campus building plans: available at the Cornell Physical Plant
Early Newspapers and Periodicals: some are available in microfilm sets
7. Map Collection (Olin Lower Level; curator: Susan Greaves)
* Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (19th c --1950's; NY, PA, MA, DC; others available via Interlibrary Loan)
* 19th century state and county atlases
* large collection of historic urban plans and city maps
* current and older topographic maps
*DeLorme Street Atlas (CD-ROM)
Edited, 7/11/00 (fm)
Olin and Uris Libraries, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853
PSA: Public Services and Assessment
Information and reference: 607-255-4144, okuref@cornell.edu
Circulation: (Olin) 607-255-4245, (Uris) 607-255-3537, olincirc@cornell.edu