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Precolonial Africa

Physical & Online Sources

Please note that this guide may include pointers to some physical resources in the Boston University Libraries that are not accessible to some or all users due to the person's location or due to access changes put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. For additional help, contact the guide author or get general help at https://askalibrarian.bu.edu 

Finding Books in the Library

            

Click on the book covers to access information about them.

Browsing for works on pre-colonial Africa in the BU Library Search (BULS):

 Africa -- History -- To 1498

Africa -- Antiquities

Africa-- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800​

Note: When looking at a library record in BU Library Search, use the "Virtual Browse" feature at the bottom of the window to see titles shelved next to the book you are looking at; it is a good way to find similar works.  

Encyclopedias & Dictionaries

Getting Books Not Available at BU

There are several ways you can obtain books or articles that we do not own. These include:

  • WorldCat Discovery. WorldCat Discovery allows current BU faculty, staff, and students to borrow books directly from other Boston Library Consortium libraries. Turnaround time is approximately three working days. (How to use WorldCat Discovery)

  • Interlibrary Loan. Interlibrary Loan services allow current BU faculty, staff, and students to request books, articles, book chapters, and other materials that our ILL staff will obtain from other libraries. Books generally take 2-4 weeks to arrive; articles are generally delivered electronically within 1-2 days.

  • BLC Cards. A Boston Library Consortium Card allows the bearer to borrow—in person—circulating material from a member library, just as you would from a BU library. Boston University faculty, staff, and students on the Charles River Campus may obtain a Consortium Card by filling out an application form. Medical Campus affiliates apply at the Alumni Medical Library.

Head, African Studies Library

Profile Photo
Beth Restrick
Contact:
African Studies Library
6th floor, Mugar Memorial Library

Mon-Fri, 9am- 5pm
617-353-3726
Subjects: African Studies