The Emory Libraries have rich collections of primary source material for African history in a variety of formats (print, microform and electronic) and locations, especially Woodruff Library and Pitts Theology Library. The libraries are particulary strong in government documents and records as well as missionary records and travel accounts. Much of the collection is listed in EUCLID under names of authors (individual or organization), titles or subject. Other important sources are buried in larger collections and are more difficult to locate. Always ask for help before assuming that the libraries do not have materials of interest. Specialized assistance is offered in the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library in the Woodruff Library and Archives/Manuscripts in the Pitts Theology Library for manuscript and rare book collections housed in those facilities.
MICROFORM HOLDINGS:
Many primary resources for Africa are held in large collections of microform (microfilm, microfiche or microprint). Although many microform titles are cataloged individually in EUCLID, in some cases only the larger collection is represented and access is via a printed or electronic guide which is noted in the EUCLID record. You can do a complex search in EUCLID and limit location to "microforms" to locate library holdings. Microfilm collections of the General Libraries are also listed in the helpful
EMORY MICROFILM GATEWAY includes annotated listings for major microfilm sets in the Woodruff Library only. Look under the categories "Africa," "Religion," and "Slavery. Not complete. Update though using EUCLID.
Currently the only way to reach the Microfilm Gateway is to type direct addresses into your web browser:
For overall category list type: http://arachne.library.emory.edu/web/libraries/microforms_gateway.html
Africa: http://arachne.library.emory.edu/web/libraries/microform_africa_general.html
Missions: http://arachne.library.emory.edu/web/libraries/microform_religion_missions.html
Slavery: American: http://arachne.library.emory.edu/web/libraries/microform_slavery_american.html
Slavery: British: http://arachne.library.emory.edu/web/libraries/microform_slavery_british.html
Woodruff microforms are found on Level 1 which also houses readers and printers.
DIGITAL COLLECTIONS:
African primary source materials are being increasingly digitized. Digitized titles can be located through WorldCat, individual library catalogs, and on the Web. History: Primary Sources from the excellent website Africa South of the Sahara links to a variety of primary sources available or described on the web. It also has sections on photographs and maps. Several of the larger digital collections with African material owned or accessed by Woodruff Library are listed under the "Electronic Collections" tab.
PITTS THEOLOGY LIBRARY
Sub-Saharan Africa has been a focus of the Pitts Theology Library. The Pitts Theology Library holds more than 4,500 books and pamphlets published in Sub-Saharan countries--almost half from Nigeria alone. In addition, another 7,000 items in the Pitts Library are about the region and cover subjects such as church history, missions, hymnody, politics and government, education, Christian union, Pentecostalism, social justice, and AIDS. There are hymnals in various languages, and virtually all major Christian denominations are represented.
Pitts also holds collections documenting the missionary activity of the Methodist Church in Africa.
The Sub-Saharan African Periodicals Collection at Pitts is one of the world's larger collections of periodical literature documenting the history as well as social and cultural aspects of religious institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa since the 1970s. the collection includes more than 800 theological publications from almost 40 countrie. Pitts is the only North American library holding 274 of these titles and so makes an important contribution to the documentation of Christianity in Africa.
For more information go to Sub-Sahran African Collections which lists periodicals by country and reviews Pitts African archival collections.