Exploration 5: What is American Memory?

Understanding Goal

American Memory is a collection of collections for primary sources.

Investigative Question

How is American Memory like this picture of trunks?

Horydczak, T. (1920-1930). "Canadian Scenes. Stack of Boxes and Trunks.": Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Horydczak Collection.

Patron Actions:

1. Brainstorm and make a list of how you organize your things at home. For example:
   • alphabetical
   • size
   • use
   • theme
   • season
   • type of item
   • location
   • date
   • no organization
2. Consider these questions: “If American Memory is like this picture of trunks, then what do you know about American Memory?” “What do you know about the organization within each trunk based on the list of how you organize your things?”
3. Think about search strategies by pretending you are standing before these trunks in the picture. Make a list of way strategies that you could use to find out what's inside.
4. Mark a check next to strategies that would be effective for finding a picture of your great-grandparents wedding. Draw a star next to strategies that you might use for browsing.
5. Look for the strategies from your list on the Browse page for American Memory.