Whether you are researching a history paper or just want to learn more about a certain time period or event in history, these are some great resources to get you started.

UAPL’s Research Librarians have compiled these recommended websites, books, magazines and databases that are authoritative and perfect for bringing local, American and world history alive for you.

For assistance using these, or any of the UAPL’s other resources, please contact the Research Department at (614) 486-3342, or email us at [email protected].

Indexes / Databases

The following are part of the Upper Arlington Public Library’s subscription Research Tools. Unless you are in one of our library locations, you will need your library card number and PIN in order to access them. 

• African American Heritage – Available to UAPL patrons from home using a library card number and PIN, this resource provides records and resources for African American family history research, including the Federal Census, Freedman’s Bank, and much more.
• Gale Reference eBooks – Use your UAPL card number and PIN to access authoritative and fascinating encyclopedias and other reference sources covering American and world history, from anywhere, any time of day. Titles include:
  • Disasters and Tragic Events
  • Europe 1450-1789, Europe 1789-1914, and Europe Since 1914
  • Global Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer History
  • Milestone Visual Documents in American History
  • …and many more!
• National Geographic Virtual Library – Features every issue of National Geographic Magazine from 1888 to present, including additional content from National Geographic such as maps, videos, images and books.
• UA Archives – An initiative of the Upper Arlington Public Library in partnership with local organizations and individuals, the UA Archives presents historical resources about Upper Arlington. Includes historical maps, Norwester Yearbooks, images, and much more.

See a complete list of UA Library’s history-related databases.

Reference Resources

When researching an event in history, be sure to visit the Research Department of the Tremont Branch Library to search our book collection covering history. Ask a Research Librarian for help finding materials. 

Reference Books

• American Decades
• Berkshire Encyclopedia of World History
• Black firsts : 500 years of trailblazing achievements and ground-breaking events
• Civil Rights Movement: People and Perspectives
• Daily Life through World History in Primary Documents
• Encyclopedia of Historic Places
• The People’s Chronology: A Year-by-Year Record of Human Events from Prehistory to the Present
• The Timetables of History

Journals / Magazines

Some current issues of the following magazine and journal titles are available for checking out, while in some cases older issues may be accessed at the Tremont Branch’s Research Department. Follow the links to the catalog or see a librarian for more information:

• American Heritage
• Archaeology
• Current History
• Echoes
• History Today
• National Geographic History
• Natural History
• Smithsonian

Archives / Special Collections

The Research Department retains many years of back issues and/or microfilm to some popular news and entertainment magazines containing historically valuable information written during important events and time periods. Titles that are retained include:

• Newsweek
• Time
• Life Magazine
• National Geographic
• Scientific American

The following print indexes will help you locate specific articles within these magazines:

• Nineteenth Century Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature
• Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature

For local history research, the Upper Arlington Public Library Ohio Room contains materials on the history of Ohio, Columbus and Franklin County, including books and magazines. The Research Department also houses a pamphlet file that includes clippings of news articles chronicling aspects of the recent history of Columbus and Franklin county. See a librarian for assistance locating and searching this collection. 

Websites

These recommended websites are chosen by a Reference Librarian as reliable sources of information on various aspects of History:

General History

• National Archives
• National Museum of American History – Online Exhibitions
• Smithsonian – History and Culture
• World History Encyclopedia

Local History

• Columbus Metropolitan Local History and Genealogy
• eHistory – OSU Department of History
• Ohio History Connection
• Ohio Memory
• Ohio State University Archives
• Upper Arlington Historical Society
• UA Archives

Search Starters

Get started with your research by seeing some examples of what UAPL has in its collection on subjects related to History:

• Historic Sites
• History
• History – Encyclopedias
• History – Sources
• Natural History
• Ohio History
• United States History
• World History