What are...Reference Collections

What are...Reference Collections?

Reference collections are supplementary materials housed in an archives, but are not archival records themselves. They provide additional context and may help to fill in gaps that are not well-defined in the archival collections. Additionally, reference collections can be a great introduction to a topic and inform potential researchers as to what work has already been done in the field.

Books, serials, and newspapers are all types of reference collections available at City Archives & Special Collections. Click the buttons below to see what is available in each of these formats.

Books & Publications Newspapers & Serials

City Documents

As archival records are unique and generally not published, the City Documents collection is also a reference collection. To search for them run a search for a topic or agency of interest and then look below the search bar for a link to “More Search Options,” then select “City Archives.”

Preservation

Books and other reference materials in City Archives & Special Collections are non-circulating; they may not be checked out or borrowed from the library. This preserves the materials by keeping them in a climate-controlled environment, ensures that users do not forget to return them, avoids the opportunity for books to be transported in the rain or other elements, and allows staff to keep an eye on users and assist with techniques for safely handling materials. This also ensures that these materials are always available to view, even when two researchers are looking into the same or similar topics.

A note on content in the Archives

Statement on Archival Content:

The New Orleans Public Library City Archives & Special Collections contains records, archival collections and published materials that are historical in nature cover a large range of dates, subject matter and viewpoints. These items are products of the time and society in which they were created. Some materials within our collections, including the language used to describe them, may contain language or images that users find inappropriate, offensive or harmful.

The New Orleans Public Library and the City Archives & Special Collections does not endorse the views expressed in these materials, which are inconsistent with our commitment to creating an inclusive, open and accessible community.

Historical items are retained, as they originally existed to preserve the integrity of the historical record, transparency and research. They provide evidence and context for understanding and examining history and to foster accountability for the actions and decisions of the records creator. By providing access to these materials, library archives enable historians and researchers to examine the sources used in historical publications, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the past.