Understand what it is about

• at least skim the article
• scan the footnotes/source list, and article text attached to your footnotes for clues about what type of source (a speech? a paper presented at a conference?) is being used

Identify the cited materials - books, book chapters, journal/other articles, or cases/statutes/legislative materials?

• This Anatomy of Basic Legal Citations may help you identify the most commonly cited materials
• Bluebook examples on the inside front cover that show the typefaces used for many different types of publications;
• Bluebook abbreviations tables (particularly Tables 1 and 2 for primary law sources, Table 13 for legal journals);
• searchable, online Bluebook (individual subscription required) can also be useful
• Check Prince's Dictionary of Legal Abbreviations (copies at the Reference Desk and Main Reading Room) and/or the  online Cardiff Index to Legal Abbreviations to translate abbreviations - full title information can help you find the source
• The Guide to Foreign and International Legal Citations (copy at the Reference Desk) may help you decode citations to materials from foreign and international organizations and tribunals 

A first stop for secondary sources:

• search books and articles in a single step as a fast way to search for secondary legal materials (articles, book chapters, books, reports, conference papers, etc.)

Start by working on the books, articles, and familiar primary sources you've identified, using the steps above and in the rest of this guide about finding Books, Journals & Articles, and Primary Sources.  As you go, note any:

• sources you still can't find
• problem citations for unfamiliar types of material such as treaties, non-legal sources, foreign language sources, etc.

Consult a reference librarian for assistance in deciphering citations and identifying and locating these remaining items.

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