ELI 3B --
Fall 2009
Overview of Library Resources
The Library Web Site is your Gateway to Research...
Step 1. Discover resources with Central
Search
- Like Google, only instead of the WWW, searches library resources.
- Discovery Tool: Best to use as a first step, to identify
good databases and quickly see scope of results.
- By default, search is looking for words in the title (you
can change this).
- More detailed and focused searching will be available from individual
database interfaces. See examples below.
- Access selected resources from Library
home page ("Quick Search" is limited to our online catalog,
HANS, and our periodical databases)
- Access all resources and fine-tune search from main Central
Search interface.
Step 2. Search HANS to find books
and ebooks in the Ohlone College Library
Includes books in print and Electronic books (ebooks).
Step 3. Search a specific database
to find journal, magazine and newspaper articles, and reference articles.
CQ
Researcher
- What is it?
- Database of good in-depth but introductory articles about topical issues
SIRS
Knowledge Source
- What is it?
- Includes full-text articles on social issues and topics in the arts
and humanities
- If you need ideas, click on the Topic Browse & Database Features tabs
at top
- Explore the Pro / Con feature to the right (click on More Issues…)
- Search Tips: Start with a Quick Search, which defaults to a Subject Headings
search
- Review results. Select all Subject Headings you think might be appropriate
to your topic. (If a Websites button appears at left, click for authoritative
sources from the WWW).
- Click on View Checked Subjects box at bottom of list, review results, explore
Descriptors that are appropriate to your topic, use them to create new searches
Gale
Virtual Reference Library
- What is it?
- Like all reference sources, these e-Reference Books are good sources
for general overviews of topics from a variety of perspectives
Student Research Center
- What is it?
- Friendly interface to finding magazine, newspaper, reference and primary source documents.
Step 4. Search for web sources -- Alternatives to Google!
