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The University of Massachusetts Amherst

Afro American Studies

A general guide to library research in Afro American Studies.

Librarian

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Isabel Espinal
Contact:
W.E.B. Du Bois Library
University of Massachusetts

Available by appointment. I can meet via phone, Zoom, or other online venue. To request an online appointment or get any other help, please email iespinal@library.umass.edu or call:
413-545-6971
Website Skype Contact: isabel.espinal2010

Library Guide for Afro Am 170: Grassroots Experience in American Life and Culture

Finding Books

To find books at UMass, you have two options.

1. Start with the Discovery Search, the general search box on the library home page, www.library.umass.edu.  

Advantages:

This search gives you access to books and articles and more.

Citations can be exported directly to RefWorks or other citation managers.

2. Or, use the Five Colleges Library Catalog.

Advantages:

This catalog lets you search in some very specifc ways, for example, by Library of Congress Subject Heading. Be as specific as possible in your searching. Start with a subject search (use keyword if subject yields no results). Search by author, title, subject, keyword, call number, journal title, etc. For materials on a specific subject, enter your term(s) into the Subject or Keyword search boxes.

Citations can be exported directly to RefWorks or other citation managers.

Sample searches:

Databases

Citation Management

Use a citation manager, such as Zotero to keep track of your research.

Put all your references in one place, create quick and easy bibliographies, build your knowledgebase for the rest of your career. For help, check out the online guides and webinars or Ask a Librarian. 

Some tips on using Chicago notation style with Zotero

Librarian

Office hours in New Africa House hopefully reinstated for Fall 2023.

During Spring 2023, I can meet you at the W.E.B. Du Bois Library, on Zoom or other online venues. To request an appointment or get any other help, please use this form or send me an email.
Click here for assistance. Be well!

Door of New Africa House some years ago, painted in red, black and green

(Door of New Africa House some years ago)