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Native Art, History & Culture: Books and Encyclopedias

Encyclopedias & Other Reference Works

Encyclopedias and other reference works provide background information and can give you a good overview of your research topic. The following is a selection of Native American related encyclopedias and reference works.

UW Libraries Search

Search Tips

Tips for searching the UW Libraries Search for books on American Indians:

  • For known items, enter authors or titles in quotations: example, "Alaska Native Ways"
  • Use keyword search phrases: examples, American Indians colonization, American Indians education, Native Americans civil rights
  • Use  limits (the links along the left of your search results) to narrow the scope of your search (depending on your search terms, these may not always be present)
  • Truncation * returns results with a root word and any ending: politic* (finds political, politically, politics...)
  • Click Get It or View It to display item details (library location; call number, availability, etc.)
  • Use Advanced Search for complex searches and limits

Books at UW Bothell

For a select list of books about Northwest Coast Indians and Alaska Natives, see the Rose Book Donations box on the Rose Collection page.

Search Terminology

For a list of keywords to use in your searches see the Research Strategies tab of this guide.

Browsing for books about Native Americans

The Campus Library arranges books by Library of Congress call numbers. Below are the major sections for American Indian Studies.

  • E77 General works
  • E78 By state, province or region, A-Z
  • E98 By subject, A-Z
  • E99 By Tribe, A-Z

For a more specific breakdown of the call numbers see the Library of Congress Classification Online.