The University of Akron Libraries and OhioLINK now offer access to the American Antiquarian Society (AAS) Historical Periodicals Collection (series 1-5) – the premier library documenting the life of America’s people from the Colonial Era through the Civil War and Reconstruction. This important and exciting news for UA researchers means that there is yet another resource covering historic, primary sources from 1691 thru 1877. Some of the many searchable subjects include health, advertising, women’s issues, science, the history of slavery, industry, religious issues, culture, and much more. The digitized collection is made available by the EBSCO company.

A trial search in the database on “school libraries” yielded a fascinating article from 1832 stating that $100.00 had been appropriated to support a common school library organized and stocked by students in Lynn, Mass. The article in Family Lyceum also mentioned that efforts were underway to organize additional school libraries and that the suggested minimum number of books was 25.

Whatever your interest, enter your topic in the search box and be prepared to take an eye-opening step back in time!