Deaf School Yearbooks

A Pathfinder

SCOPE

This pathfinder will guide you in locating deaf school yearbooks at the Gallaudet University Library.

INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION

A school yearbook is a photographic record of students, staff and school activities during a given year. In the deaf community, the school yearbook is important to the alumni, as a cherished resource of school and local deaf community memories. Yearbooks may also assist in researching the genealogy of deaf families and clothing and hair styles of yesteryear.

TO LOCATE YEARBOOKS FROM SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF

In the WRLC Libraries Catalog section of ALADIN (http://www.aladin.wrlc.org/) do a Keyword search. To browse through a list of yearbooks from many different schools, type:

• yearbooks and deaf

Searches may be narrowed by adding the name of a state. Example:

• yearbooks and deaf and illinois

Note: If a state name has two words, as in New Jersey, use quotation marks. Example:

• yearbooks and deaf and "new jersey"

Some states have more than one state school for the deaf. There are also private and other non-state schools for the deaf. To narrow the search, include the town where the school is located, or a key word from the school's name. Examples:

• yearbooks and deaf and california and fremont
• yearbooks and deaf and "new york" and lexington

The Library has a few yearbooks from foreign schools for the deaf. In a keyword search, use the name of the country or province to help identify them. Examples:

• yearbooks and deaf and japan
• yearbooks and deaf and ontario

Yearbook titles change from time to time; in recent years, the trend has been to change titles each year. Consequently, the catalog may list several different yearbook titles for the same school.

The "Library Has" lines of catalog records indicate which dates the Library owns. For example, "Library Has: 1968, 1970-1972" means the Library owns 1968, 1970, 1971, and 1972, but not 1969. Sometimes the Library has several copies of a yearbook for the same year. These may be listed separately, so check carefully. To obtain complete information, check the record carefully by comparing the location data.

FOR NON-GALLAUDET USERS: HOW TO GET COPIES

To borrow books contact your academic or public library. If your library does not have them, it may be able to borrow them for you through Interlibrary Loan. Your library will not necessarily get the books from Gallaudet University; it will usually request items from the nearest library. You may also request photocopies of particular pages. There may be a charge for Interlibrary Loan, depending on the policies of your library and of the lending library. Your librarian will advise you of any charges, restrictions, and the time frame.

Remember: if you are having trouble finding information, or if you would like additional help, please ask at the Library Service Desk or email library.help@gallaudet.edu.

GIFTS

The Gallaudet University Library welcomes donations of deaf school yearbooks and other deaf-related materials.