When starting a research project, and after you've done some searching on Google, it is a good idea to check the Reference collection to find background information in print sources on your topic. These include dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases, and statistical materials. Here are some.
You will next want to pursue your research using Library licensed resources, which are not available on the open Web.
America’s Historical Newspapers
Another source for newspapers, generally before 1923, is Historical Newspaper Archives.
APS Online
Collection of American magazines, extending into the 20th century.
Accessible Archives
Especially African American Newspapers: The 19th Century and Godey’s Lady’s Book.
Chicago Defender
In Black Studies Center.
American National Biography
Authoritative source of historical American biography.
Notable American Women
Available both as part of the Women and Social Movements database as well as in print in the Reference collection (Ref CT3260 .N57, Ref CT3260 .N5725 2004, and Ref CT3260 .N573).
Biography Reference Bank 
This and the following resource include biographical entries from biographical dictionaries and articles.
WorldCat Local
Records of books and other materials worldwide.
DELCAT
The online catalog of the University of Delaware Library. It is often helpful to start with a keyword search, say on .... Be sure to check the subject headings listed in the records you retrieve so that you will find other useful and more specific terms and phrases to search.
Here are some subject headings to try in both DELCAT and WorldCat Local:
Academic OneFile
Database of articles in all subject areas, many in full text.
Alternative Press Index
Indexes to alternative, radical, and left periodicals, newspapers, and magazines.
America: History & Life
Published articles on American history.
Communication & Mass Media Complete
Covers journals in communication, mass media, and other closely-related fields of study.
Ethnic NewsWatch
Newspapers, magazines, and journals of the ethnic, minority, and native press.
GenderWatch
Journals, magazines, newsletters, regional publications, special reports and conference proceedings devoted to women's and gender issues.
International Index to Black Periodicals Full Text
Part of Black Studies Center.
JSTOR
Core scholarly journals in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences.
LexisNexis Academic
Full-text information from newspapers and other sources on a variety of topics.
PsycINFO
Books, book chapters, journal articles, and other publications in psychology and related disciplines.
Readers’ Guide Retrospective
Popular magazines such as Essence, Life, Look, Newsweek, Time, and Rolling Stone.
Sociological Abstracts
Publications in sociology and related disciplines.
See also Databases for History.
Historical Statistics of the United States. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006. 5 vols.
Ref HA202 .H57 2006
American Memory
Primary source materials relating to the history and culture of the United States, from the Library of Congress.
