If you are including a primary source-based assignment in your course, we recommend having students visit with us virtually or face-to-face so staff can provide a brief introduction to the operations and types of materials housed within our respective units, as well as information on how to access and use these resources. We are also pleased to offer a series of instructional videos about primary sources and how to access them:
Introduction to Archives & Special Collections: Primary Sources for Teaching, Learning & Research
An introduction to primary sources, including those available at Western through the holdings of Archives & Special Collections, with information about how to use them in teaching, learning, and research.
Finding Historical Primary Sources at Western and Beyond
Strategies and resources for finding primary sources in Western Libraries' circulating collections and at other institutions.
Planning a visit
Advance notice and arrangements are required for all tours and hosted group sessions. Instructors must accompany students during class visits. When contacting Archives & Special Collections, please let us know:
We encourage instructors who have not previously used our facilities in teaching to visit and meet with staff in advance. Instructors planning a class session where students work hands-on with Archives & Special Collections materials will be asked to assist in selecting resources and developing a lesson plan as appropriate. We recommend allowing at least 1.5 hours of class time for this type of interactive session.
Before a class visit
Location and Hours
More information about hours and driving directions to Archives & Special Collections facilities can be found on our website: https://library.wwu.edu/hr/hoursanddirections.
Planning a Session at the Goltz-Murray Archives Building
This guide is provided by Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections. Instructors/students wishing to work with records from the Washington State Archives (NW Region) should consult with staff from these programs as appropriate (and/or their staff can be invited to planning meetings).
Archives & Special Collections will ask instructors interested in having students work "hands-on" with primary sources to assist in selecting materials and developing a lesson plan as appropriate. Please contact us to discuss the needs of your students. We recommends allowing at least 1.5 hours of class time if students are expected to examine and analyze archival records. A possible framework for class activities includes:
Web-based resources for K-12 and/or Higher Ed. students and instructors, designed to support critical analysis of primary sources: