Learn the Library

Q: Can't I just use the Internet to find resources?

A: It's an option. Google Scholar is a good start for that. BUT! There are drawbacks. You may be asked to pay for an article, when if you access it through the library search box it may be freely available to you. You will also come across non-academic (or non peer-reviewed) articles that just won't cut it for your class paper.

The Internet is full of all sorts of materials that may be questionable in terms of their accuracy. Starting from the library homepage is a safer bet.

Information on borrowing materials from the library can be found on the Borrowing webpage. 

• I already have the name of a book or database I want. Use the big search box on the library homepage to find it.
• I am unsure of which databases and journals to check out. Click on the tab where it says Research, select Databases. Use the drop down menus to narrow down by subject. 
• I don't know where I am, the databases look the same/so different. Check for the name of the database somewhere along the top of the page or near the search box. Keep it simple, use the search boxes, and look for a + sign, an "add row" button or an "advance search" icon to build a search strategy.
• Can't I search all the databases at once? If you want to search everything, the library search box is the best way to get started. It doesn’t search everything in our collections, so you should also use specialized databases. To use specialized databases, consult the research guide for your discipline or look for the list of databases by subject. Each database has different journals and uses metadata such as subject headings and keyword searching differently. 

For help, use Chat (by clicking on the bubble on the bottom of this screen) or Consult with a Librarian.