Choosing a Topic for Your Library Research Paper
As a student, one of the most important assignments you’ll complete is a research paper. Your professor or teacher will likely expect you to utilize the extensive resources available through your school or local public library. When starting this type of paper, selecting the right topic is crucial. Here are some effective sample library research paper topics to get you started:
Literary Analysis Topics
Analyze how censorship has impacted works of literature over time and the role of libraries in providing access to information. Examine case studies.
Compare and contrast the character development techniques used in two classic novels from the 1800s. Explore how libraries help preserve literary works from this era.
Discuss the themes of social justice, racism, or feminism portrayed in a book held in significant collections at your library. Research reviews and criticism of the novel.
History Research Topics
Examine the history of your local public library by researching archives and records held in special collections. Trace its establishment and evolution over the decades.
Investigate an important historical event or time period through analyzing primary sources like newspapers, photographs, and documents your library has digitized or on microfilm.
Profile an influential figure from the past and the impact of their ideas by utilizing library biographies as well as first-edition books in special collections.
Academic Database Topics
Choose a current social issue or medical topic and research it through accessing scholarly journals, reports and studies in the library’s subscription databases. Synthesize your findings.
Assess the availability, usage and discoverability of open access, digital scholarship at your institution by exploring the library’s institutional repository. Provide recommendations.
Identify a gap in the scholastic research on a subject and propose how your library could enhance access through additional database subscriptions or collections.
Social Science Research Topics
Analyze census data, surveys or statistical series housed in your library’s government documents to report on trends in areas like education, employment, health and demographics over time.
Assess the impact of your public library’s community programs, digital services or collections through an original survey of patrons and metrics collected. Make recommendations.
Research the historical records and collections at your library about a subculture, immigrant group or underserved community. Highlight the importance of social inclusion.
Science & Technology Topics
Choose an emerging area of science or new technology and overview the literature on the topic through mining research reports and periodicals in your library.
Profile the career of an influential scientist through accessing biographical sources and original papers held in special collections at an academic library.
Study the history of an important scientific theory, idea or invention through analyzing first editions of seminal works and patents archived by your library.
Arts & Media Topics
Choose two artists, musicians or cultural figures and contrast their works and style through images, recordings and publications held by your library.
Examine the impact of new media like film, radio or video games on society through researching historic reviews, trade publications and government records in archives.
Analyze the portrayal of a historical period, geography or culture represented through music, artwork or maps housed across various library divisions like special collections, maps and music.
As you can see, libraries are treasure troves of information that can fuel impactful research on a wide variety of topics. The key is to choose a subject you’re passionate about and then mine the deep archives, historical records, databases and special collections at the libraries available to you. With careful research and analysis, one of these sample library research paper topics can result in an outstanding paper that leverages the unparalleled resources within the library.