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University of Texas University of Texas Libraries

Creative Writing

Archives & Primary Sources

Preparing to Use Physical Archives

Archival research using physical, historical documents can give you hands-on context and historical knowledge that can give your creative work richness and nuance. Before you visit an archive, it helps to be prepared so you can make the most of your time. The following resources guide you through what to do ahead of time to get ready for research.

Finding Archives

Finding archival collections related to the subject of your creative work can be tricky! UT has several archives on campus, and Austin is home to additional archives. You might even need to visit archives in other states. Below are some resources for finding archives, and if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask Gina Bastone for help!


On campus


In Austin


Beyond Austin

Digitized Primary Sources

The UT Libraries subscribe to a number of databases with digitized primary sources and historical documents.

Looking for historical newspapers and magazines? See the tab on the left-side menu. 

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