Library of American Civilization

Finding Library of American Civilization Materials

The first step in using the LAC is to find the LAC fiche number assigned to the material. Snoopy can be used for author, title, subject and keyword searches, and the record for any LAC material contains the fiche number. The printed guide contains author, title and subject catalogs along with a biblioguide index. The LAC fiche number appears at the top right corner of the entry for the author, title and subject catalogs.

The biblioguide index is divided into 29 chapters - each its own broad topic. At the beginning of each chapter is an outline of topics. A brief explanation of each subheading is followed by a list of titles in LAC which relate to the subheading. This list is alphabetized by author's name, and notes pate and chapter number as appropriate. Following each citation is the LAC fiche number.

If your topic is much more specific than the biblioguide headings (or if you are unsure which heading would include your topic), go to the index at the end of the biblioguide to look up your topic. Citations are arranged alphabetically, and will direct you to the appropriate chapter and subheading.

Retrieving LAC Materials

When you have located the LAC number, go the the LAC cabinet in the Multimedia Center and retrieve the appropriate fiche. LAC fiche are filed numerically.

LAC materials are on a type of microform called ultrafiche. Up to 1000 pages of text will fit onto one piece of ultrafiche. You must use one of the Microbook 912 readers in the microform area of the Multimedia Center to read ultrafiche. Operating instructions are posted next to the readers.

Copying LAC Materials

Copies of LAC materials may be made by using a 90x lens on the Positive Fiche Printer. See an attendant in the Multimedia Center for assistance with changing lenses.