HUMA2680 Introduction to Library Research Adam Taves Reference Librarian

Objectives: by the end of this session you will be able to… Navigate the York University Libraries and the Libraries’ Website Understand distinctions between publication types Understand uses of and differences between finding tools for those publications Find Books and Articles using effective keyword strategies Get help in the library

What do People think about Libraries? "I read," I say. "I study and read. I bet I've read everything you read. Don't think I haven't. I consume libraries. I wear out spines and ROM-drives. I do things like get in a taxi and say, "The library, and step on it." – David Foster Wallace “I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” ‑‑ Jorge Luis Borges “We are the cornerstone of democracy. We are the community commons.” – Deborah Jacobs, Seattle city librarian “Libraries are brothels for the mind” -- Guy Browning in The Guardian “Librarians are the secret masters of the world. They control information. Don't ever piss one off.” ‑‑ Spider Robinson

Research as Conversation EAVESDROPPINGENTERING ENGAGING

Starting Your Research… What’s been done on the topic? Specialized encyclopedias Online resources Background Information Library Website

Starting Your Research… What kinds of resources are appropriate and/or useful? Books Articles Scholarly versus Popular

Scholarly versus Popular Articles Scholarly Journals Written by scholars or researchers Intended audience is professors, students, researchers Lengthy articles with in-depth coverage of topics May have a ‘serious’ look – few photos or ads Always include a bibliography (works cited) May use discipline-specific language or jargon Popular (magazines, newspapers, etc.) Often written by journalists or staff writers Shorter articles; usually provide a broad overview of topics Usually include photos and advertisements Bibliography not usually provided Uses everyday language that is accessible to the average reader

Where do I search? In Databases A searchable storehouse of information. Every item described in the database has a “record”. A record is composed of fields.

Primary vs Secondary Sources PRIMARY Written by people who have direct knowledge of events/issues under discussion; participants The work itself Author’s diary, journals Interviews with author or friends/acquaintances SECONDARY Relies primarily on primary or other secondary sources; distant relationship Products of reflection/research Indirect knowledge Often contain a re-seeing or re-envisioning of someone or something

How do I search one? By author By title By subject or topic Last name first Omit beginning articles like “the” or “a” Using keywords and Boolean operators

How to do a keyword search Exercises….

Finding Books Use the library catalogue What is this? A database for finding books. Demo catalogue…

Finding Articles Use a periodical index What is this? A database for finding articles. How do I find them? Find Articles by Subject Demo indexes…

Getting Help Scott Library Reference Desk (2 nd floor) Ask A Question Library course guide on the Web

Thanks!