Learn How To Find	Library Home

Books	Articles
Journals	Course Reserves

Narrow/Expand Searches

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Books

Find a book by title

1. From the library homepage, select library catalog and books.

 
2. From the drop down menu “select search type” select Title Keyword or Title Begins With…

 
3. In the search box, type the title.
             Omit initial articles (a, an, the, la…)

 
4. Click on Search

 
5. Click on the title of the book you are looking for in the list of displayed records.
             If the title you are looking for does not appear, you might want to try searching by author or keyword for the book.

 
6. Write down the book’s location and call number.
             You will need the call number to find the book on the shelf.

 
7. Find the book on the shelf
             The libraries main collection, fiction, short story and children’s books are located on the third floor of the library.  Reference books and course reserve materials are located on the second floor of the library.

 

Find a book by author

1. From the library homepage, select library catalog and books.

 
2. From the drop down menu “select search type” select Author Keyword or Author (last name first).

 
3. In the search box, type the author’s name.

 
4. Click on search.

 
5. Click on the title/author of the book you are looking for in the list of displayed records.
             If the book you are looking for does not appear, you might want to try searching by title or keyword for the book.

 
6. Write down the book location and call number.
             You will need the call number to find the book on the shelf.

 
7. Find the book on the shelf
             The libraries main collection, fiction, short story and children’s books are located on the third floor of the library.  Reference books and course reserve materials are located on the second floor of the library.

Find a book by topic

1. From the library homepage, select library catalog and books.

 
2. From the drop down menu “select search type” select Anywhere in the Record.

 
3. In the search box, type the topic terms.

 
4. Click on search.

 
5. Click on the title/author of the book you are looking for in the list of displayed records.
             If the book you are looking for does not appear, you might want to try searching by title or keyword or author for the book.

 
6. Write down the book location and call number.
             You will need the call number to find the book on the shelf.

 
7. Find the book on the shelf
             The libraries main collection, fiction, short story and children’s books are located on the third floor of the library.  Reference books and course reserve materials are located on the second floor of the library.

Questions? Ask a librarian.

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Articles

Selecting an article database by subject

1. From the library homepage, select Article Databases and List by Subject.

 
2. Click on a subject

 
3. Select a database to search your topic.

 

 

Selecting an article database by title

1. From the library homepage, select Article Databases and List by Title

 
2. An alphabetical listing of all article databases will display.

 
3. Scroll to the database you would like to search OR read through the database descriptions to find a database to search your topic.

 

Questions? Ask a librarian.

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Journals

Finding Specific Journal Titles:

1. From the library homepage, select Research Tools and Periodicals List.

 
2. Type the name of the journal or magazine you are looking to find.

 
3. Select the journal
             The journal may be available electronically in an article database.
             The journal may be available in print at the library.
             The journal may not be available.

 
4. If the journal is available electronically you can click on the link and select the issue you are looking to find.

 
5. If the journal is available in print, you will need to visit the library in person to view it.

 
6. If the journal is not available, you may request specific articles by submitting an interlibrary loan request on the library homepage.

 

Scholarly vs. Popular Articles

• Characteristics of Scholarly Journals

        Specific subject content

        Articles are usually longer than 5 pages

        Contain mostly text, few photographs or graphics

        Articles contain footnotes or a bibliography

        Focus on academic subjects and research

        Few advertisements

    

• Characteristics of Popular Magazines

        Short articles

        Author often not identified

        Many advertisements

        Generic subject content

        Published frequently – daily, weekly

        Short articles with graphics and/or photographs

    

Questions? Ask a librarian.

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Course Reserves

Searching course reserves by instructor

1. From the library homepage, select library catalog and course reserves.

 
2. In the search box type in the instructor’s name and click on search.

 
3. Select the title of the material you are looking to find from the list of records.

 
4. Write down the material location and call number.

 
5. Ask for the material at the circulation desk.

 
6. Course Reserve items can be checked out with a valid student id / library card.

 

Searching course reserves by title

1. From the library homepage, select library catalog and course reserves.

 
2. In the search box type in title of the material you are looking to find from the list of records.

 
3. Write down the material location the title of the material and click on search.

 
4. Ask for the material at the circulation desk.

 
5. Course Reserve items can be checked out with a valid student id / library card.

 

Questions? Ask a librarian.

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Narrow/Expand Searches

Narrowing a topic (TIPS)

1. Combine different concepts of a topic with AND
   For example:  Topic: What are the effects of television watching on children with ADHD?
   Keywords: Adhd, television, children

   Search strategy:  Adhd AND television AND children

 
2. Limit your search with additional concepts, publications, dates, full text articles, scholarly/ research articles.

 

Expanding a topic (TIPS)

1. Add additional synonyms for concepts
   For example:  Topic:  What are the effects of television watching on children with ADHD?

             Keywords:    ADHD
                                Television
                                Children
             Synonyms     ADHD  = Hyperactivity,
                                Television = TV,
                                Children = Kids


 
2. Combine synonyms of like concepts with OR
   For Example: Topic: What are the effects of television watching on children with ADHD?
    
   Search Strategy: (television OR tv) AND (Adhd OR hyperactivity) AND (Children OR kids)

 

Questions? Ask a librarian.

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Goddard Library & Technology Center University Center Rochester 851 30th Avenue Southeast Rochester, MN 55904-4999 (507) 285-7233 | FAX (507) 281-7772 An Equal Opportunity Employer/Educator
Last updated: December 21, 2007