The Library has primary sources in the collection located both in the regular shelves (which you have access to) and in Special Collections (which a librarian will get for you and which you'll use in the Special Collections Reading Room).
To access primary sources (and other items within our collection), you will click on the Books & Media link on the homepage (lib.msu.edu). From there, you can do a keyword search, an advanced search (my default choice), a title search, or an author search.
1. Works BY Important People in the Field
Use the author tab to narrow your search to things BY the person (not just about the person). You can also use the author tab for organizations.
2. Use Special Keywords
Item Type:
For letters, use "letters" or "correspondence"
For interviews, use "interview" or "personal narrative"
For diaries, use "diaries" or "journals"
For pictures, use "photographs", "posters" or "pictorial works"
For cartoons, use "editorial cartoon" or "political cartoon" or "caricature"
Subject Terms:
When you find a useful item, you'll see "subject headings" linked at the bottom of the item's record. Those are good ways to browse and see what else the library has.
For example:
Minorities -- Political Activity -- United States
Sociology -- United States -- History
Cultural Pluralism -- United States
3. Limit the Time Period
Use the "within" field to limit the time period of your search.