Research At the Library

Nicky Quinby Farr Library Young Adult & Reference Librarian

Resources At The Library 1. Non-fiction Section (Because books are still the best!) 2. Periodicals & Newspapers 3. Reference Section 4. Internet 5. Databases

1. Non-Fiction: The Dreaded Dewey Decimal System  It’s SIMPLE, I swear.  Numbers Indicate Subject Areas 400-Language 500-Science and Math 700-Art 800-Literature 900-Geography & History

2. Periodicals & Newspapers (What’s the difference between a periodical and a magazine??)  Great Sources (especially when you’re trying to use anything but Internet sources).  Current Periodicals & Newspapers  Periodicals up to 3 years  Newspapers up to 2 months  Anything else might be on a database.

Peer Reviewed or NOT - What Difference Does It Make?  Peer Reviewed really means that experts in the field have read all the articles and have approved them.  That’s a big GREEN LIGHT for you.

3. Reference Section  There are many, many books in the Reference Section.  It intimidates me.   Down Side-No Check out!  Possible to find some resources in the normal Non-Fiction Section.

Things in the Reference Section (Cont.) Encyclopedias (World Book, Religion) Contemporary Literary Criticism MLA Guidelines & Literary Terms (YAY!) Contemporary Authors History (Medieval History, Political Parties, etc.) Flowers, Cars, Stamps, Other weird things.

4. Internet at the Library   Need a library card  60 Minute Internet (can be extended if you’re sweet)  Databases Available on Our Site  Database only computers available

Why Do Your Teachers Hate the Internet?  So many Internet sites don’t offer valid information.  Librarians can help. Really.  These are some things to think about: Author Access Accuracy Content Currency Documentation Goals of the Site

Examples of Bad Sites

5. Library Databases  A database is a “collection of data arranged for ease and speed of search and retrieval”.  OR, it’s a bunch of articles from mags, newspapers, and journals in one place.  Someone put all that info into one spot to make your research easier.

Databases (Cont.)  Easy to search (well, most of them are…)  So many different choices! Academic Search Premier Article First EBSCO (Middlesearch Plus, Newspaper Source, New World Encyclopedia) FirstSearch Gale Literary Databases National Newspaper Index Worldbook Online Encyclopedia  The following example uses the database EBSCO.

Using Keywords & Boolean Searches  You have to know HOW to search. Syntax Matters Quotes Keep Phrases Together Boolean Searches-AND, OR, NOT

If you don’t find what you need, try and try again!

YAY for you.