What is the Subject Resource Guide?
- A basic starting point for research in a specific subject.
- Resources listed are available at the Library, organized by subject.
- You might need to check more than one subject guide, depending on your tech.
- Print copies available. Ask the Reference Librarian.
- For more help, Ask a Librarian for assistance – 401-739-5000 or Email a Librarian
How do I find articles?
Articles are found in newspapers or periodicals. This guide will give you further instruction on how to find specific articles for your tech.
What are Periodicals?
Each guide has a listing of subject specific periodicals.
• Definition:
Publications issued multiple times per year, a term often used interchangeably with magazines or journals, general interest, technical and scholarly. See a more detailed definition in Library Words/ Terms.
• Is a newspaper a periodical?
Technically no, but for the convenience of patrons, the library groups them together with periodicals.
• What is available?
The library subscribes to ----------------periodicals in print, electronic and microfilm format.
• How do I know which periodicals are available?
Check the library holdings one of two ways:
--- Online Catalog [link here]
--- Serials Solutions [link here]
--- Periodical Holdings List, online only. [link here]
Where are the periodicals located?
There are several formats for periodicals-- most people now find searching the Electronic Databases the most convenient. You can search from home. [link here, dated - new pw information forthcoming.] You only need to set up a password. In order to search for articles you will need to use a periodicals index?
--- Print – most print copies are shelved alphabetically in the Periodicals and Reference Rooms, upper floor of the Library. Classified titles are shelved in the lower floor stacks with the circulating collection.
--- Electronic Databases – From the library homepage, choose Online Resources. The databases are listed at the top of the page.
--- Microfilm – Limited collection, located in the microfilm cabinet in the Reference Room.
What is a periodical index?
Indexes are subject guides to the articles included in periodicals.--Electronic: Electronic indexes and periodical databases can be accessed through any computer with Internet access. The Library's primary indexes are electronic and include abstracts (a short description of the article's contents) for all articles as well as full text or full image (including graphics) for many articles. The library may still have certain print indexes. Check with the Reference Librarian.
What about the books in the library?
• How are the books organized?
--The books are filed on the shelves according to the Library of Congress classification system. [link to LC explanation page here]
--The LC classification system is a series of letters and numbers used to locate materials.
--This LC code is found by searching in the online catalog [link] and checking the Location right below the author and title in the results list. (Most public libraries and public schools use the Dewey Decimal system which is a different classifying system—all numbers.)
Reference Materials
• What reference materials are available for my Tech?
--Check the specific subject.
--Be sure to look at information from other techs when there is an overlap of the topics.
• Where do I find the reference materials?
--Key reference materials are found on the second floor in the Reference Room of the Library that apply to the topic of the guide. [Please remember that this is a partial listing of reference resources. There is much more to be found either by searching the online catalog or by browsing the collection in the Reference Room.]
What if I only want to browse around?
The Librarians can point you in the direction of print books that you might look at on the shelves, although it will probably be a lot easier for you if you have a good idea what you are looking for. Need ideas? Try this page. [link here]
What sources are there on the Internet?
• What Internet Resources are available for my Tech?
--Check the specific subject.
--Be sure to look at information from other techs when there is an overlap of the topics.
• How do I know which Internet Resources are reliable and that my instructor will allow?
--link to evaluation page.
-- Helpful hints: website URL addresses ending in .gov indicates a government site, .edu indicates an educational site, .org indicates an organization's site, .mil indicates a military site, .net indicates a network, and .com indicates a commercial site. [Instructors are least enthusiastic about commercial websites, .com, as the point is to sell you something even though the site may appear to be more educational.]
Do you have any Internet search tips?
--Link to page
--link to Search engine page.