Finding Latino Arts Primary Sources—the Science of it

Locating archival and manuscript sources is best approached as a two-step process.

Step One: Searching bibliographic databases—union catalogs

Union catalogs are bibliographic databases that bring together descriptions of collections from many institutions. Various union catalogs exist for archival materials and can be searched for personal names, subjects, geographic names, and keywords. However, it is important to note that there is no one union catalog that describes all manuscript and archival materials and that bibliographic records on archival material are ‘collection-level’ descriptions, not-item level—more detailed descriptions of the materials are found in Finding Aids. These database searches become the gateway to more detailed descriptions of archival materials—the finding aids. Search Union Catalogs

Step Two: Consulting finding aids and the archivist

Finding aids, sometimes called registers or inventories, will often include many personal names and subject terms as well as a detailed collection description not available in a catalog record. Finding aids may include box-level, folder-level, and in very rare cases item-level descriptions of a collection.  In the past, finding aids were typically only accessible by visiting a repository and this is still true for many repositories and many more collections. That said, increasingly, finding aids are becoming available through repository websites or through the websites of a growing number of regional consortia. Search Regional Consortia Databases

Once you have identified repositories with holdings relevant to your research, be sure to contact an archivist for assistance. They will have knowledge of collection details and of other relevant unprocessed materials the repository may hold and may also be familiar with relevant holdings of other repositories.

Finding Latino Arts Primary Sources—More Art than Science?

Finding archival and manuscript sources is often more of an art than a science. The ‘Two-Step’ search process described above assumes materials relevant to your research have been described and their catalog information submitted to a database. While it provides a logical place and procedure to start with, it is often necessary to take additional steps. Again, consulting with an archivist can lead to materials that are waiting to be cataloged. To find additional leads to primary sources, it is often helpful to review the bibliographies in publications, especially dissertations, related to your research. Also don’t overlook public libraries; many will have a community history–type vertical file often with an ‘arts’ section.  Finally, important materials are held by the museums, cultural centers, and arts organizations that created them. Often, the resources to care for, catalog, and allow access to these materials are not available. Researchers should be mindful that access to materials not yet placed in an archival or library setting will be limited. However, if you find or know of materials important to Latino arts scholarship that are in need of an archival or library home do bring them to the attention of an archivist or librarian who might be interested in working with the organization holding the materials to preserve them.  Or contact us for assistance.

Go to: Bibliographic Databases for Archival Materials

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