There are a number of ways in which an interest in Devon's local history may be stirred. You may have seen a programme on the television, you may have moved into an interesting house or community, family history research may have lead you to want to find out more about the places where your ancestors lived. For those who have developed an interest in local history but are not yet certain of the direction in which their interest may lead, there are a number of ways to find out more.

1. Libraries. The lending departments of most libraries have at least one shelf of books of local interest. The Dewey number for the history of Devon is 942.35 and for description and travel 914.235. Books on special topics are often scattered, for example books on local railways at 385.094235, but many libraries have gathered all books of local interest together regardless of subject.

2. Bookshops and publishers. Most of the larger bookstores, such as Waterstones and W.H.Smith, have a "local interest" section, often adjoining the travel books. Secondhand and antiquarian booksellers likewise have shelves of local books and pamphlets. A number of booksellers produce catalogues specialising in local history. Prices vary, but are normally higher than could be expected from a local bookshop. Nevertheless they often have material which it would be difficult to track down locally. The Clique provides a register of British book dealers on the web. Auction sales occasionally have books of local interest but prices are often high and books are sold in lots which often include unwanted items. Among regional publishers who specialise in local publications are Halsgrove and their subsidiaries (which include Devon Books), the University of Exeter Press, Sutton Publishing, the Mint Press, Obelisk Publications. The national publishers Phillimore and Batsford have traditionally had a keen interest in local history publications.

3. Periodicals. There are a number of periodicals you may wish to subscribe to. Some come as part of the membership of organisations. Apart from the local publications such as The Devon historian or Dartmoor magazine, there are national titles which contain useful articles on methods as well as lists of events and publications. The two main titles are Local historian and Local history magazine.

4. Organisations. If your interest persists you may wish to join a local history organisation. The Devon History Society exists to provide a link between such organisations and, beside publishing The Devon historian twice yearly, it holds an annual conference in Exeter and meetings twice yearly in various parts of the county. Information on many local history groups, whether or not they are affiliated to the Devon History Society, can be gleaned from the heritage section of the Devon Library Services community information database.

5. Courses. The one-off talks and visits run by these organisations may not go deep enough for your interest and you may wish to undertake a course. These normally commence in the autumn and details can be found in newssheets produced by the local education authority, sometimes as a supplement to a local newspaper. Enrolment takes place in the public library or at other centres.

6. Starting your own research. Once your interest has deepened to the extent that you have joined an organisation or enrolled for a course, you are probably ready to commence your own research or participate in a group project. The local studies sources home page outlines the main sources that are available to you.