Books
Begin by looking for books on your topic, books will provide broad historical background information. The first search box will search the books available @ Heterick Memorial Library. The second search box will allow you to search OhioLINK (almost all of the academic libraries in Ohio).
Articles
Databases will provide articles on specific historical topics, searching databases will be more useful if you have a very narrow, specific topic.
Articles on U.S. and Canadian history from prehistory to the present.