Get inspiration, background information, and often a starting bibliography. These encyclopedia articles can help you better interpret the in-depth studies you'll later find.
Keyword search
Keyword searches can be simple -- searching across the full catalog record:
Or complex & field-specific (the "S:" in this example limits the search to the subject fields; the wildcard/truncation character "*" finds word stems):
When searching the library catalog, pay attention to the subject headings assigned to relevant titles. Refining your search using the same subject heading terminology may yield more precise results.
Subject search
We use standardized subject headings to describe the content of our collection. Browsing the headings in subject search results can be especially useful for broad or unfamiliar topics. Subject searches also tie in to a cross-referencing system, pointing to alternative or related headings. [Keyword searches don't tie in to these cross-references.]
The Library of Congress uses many different headings to represent the indigenous peoples of the Americas and related topics:
"Indian" also qualifies many specific headings, either as a main heading (e.g., Indian Art, Indian Calendar ) or a sub-heading (e.g., Mexico -- Civilization -- Indian influences.)
Subject headings are often qualified with subheadings -- usually set off with hyphens to indicate geography, time period, topical subdivision, etc.
Expect to spend a lot of time on Baker Stack Level A [one flight down in the old brick Baker stacks -- the "Annex" is through that door in the picture]
In particular, see the call number range E50 through E99 (follow links to run call # search in library catalog):
Stacks guides & Floor plans