How do I...

Get Help with my research?
The librarians of Geisler Library would like to assist you as you learn to use the library and conduct research for your college assignments.

• Ask a Librarian for assistance
• Take a for-credit Library Class

Evaluate resources that I find?
Talk to a librarian about evaluation criteria, or they will be happy to assist you in evaluating a particular web site, book, article, or other document.

Here are some guides to help you with evaluation.

• Evaluating Web Sites (and other resources)
• ICYouSee Guide to Critical Thinking About What You See on the Web
• Evaluating Information Found on the Internet 

Find articles for my research?
Indexes help you find magazine, journal or newspaper articles relevant to your research.  We have print indexes such as the Education Index or the Social Sciences Index and electronic indexes and databases  such as those provided through EBSCOhost, FirstSearch, America History and Life, etc. 

There are general indexes that cover a wide range of disciplines, such as Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature or EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier. We also have subject specific indexes which will cover a selected set of journals in a particular academic area, such as Humanities Index, ERIC, or Business Source Elite. 

"Which one should I use?"   EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier is always a good place to start.  However, depending on your topic, you will need to choose a variety of indexes.  Speak with a Reference Librarian about your topic and find out where to begin. 

Check out the guide for Electronic Database Searching for helpful general searching hints.

Compose an annotated bibliography?
The first step is always thoughtfully evaluate the sources you are considering and read the contents carefully and thoroughly. Several online writing guides give excellent guidelines and examples of annotated bibliographies:

How to prepare an annotated bibliography from Cornell University Library
Writing an annotated bibliography from the University of Toronto
Annotated bibliographies from Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL)

Find books, videos, maps, etc. for my research?
When you're looking for books or other types of materials (not journal articles), search library's Online Catalog. The catalog tells you what the library owns and where to find it.

If you are just starting to look for information about your topic, use the ADVANCED KEYWORD or SUBJECT HEADING search. 

If you have a specific author, book title or other material in mind, you can do a title or an author search.

If you are new to using the Online Catalog, or want to learn its finer points, take a look at the Guide to Using the Online Catalog or other catalog search help.

Get a book or journal article that you don't have in the library?
If you've already consulted with a Reference Librarian and we do not have the material you need for your research in Geisler Library, you may use the free service called Interlibrary Loan (ILL) to order a book or journal article from another library. 

Carefully and completely fill out a request form for either a book or a journal article.  Forms are available at the Reference Desk.  You may also print off an online form.  Turn in the completed request form to the Library Information or Circulation Desk or mail it to Jane Friedman at Campus Box 6500. 

EbscoHost and First Search have a button labeled "ILL".  When you have found an article you want that the library does not own, click on the ILL button and fill out the form with your name, mailbox number,  etc.  The form will automatically send the citation for the article to The InterLibrary Loan Librarian.  

You will be notified when books have arrived.  Journal articles will be sent to your campus mail box. 

Usually ILL materials take a from two days to two weeks to arrive. Books will need to be returned by the due date printed on a slip in the back cover of the book.  Photocopied articles are yours to keep. 

Please contact Jane Friedman (x5193) if you need any assistance with your Interlibrary Loan needs. 

Find books?
We have books on both floors of the library.  The main, circulating (check-out-able) collection is on the third floor.  The Archives is also found on the third floor.

The Reference Collection, which includes dictionaries, encyclopedias on all subjects, statistical sources, and other resources, is on the second floor.  Reference books are a great place to start your research.  They do not circulate, but you are welcome to use them in the library and/or photocopy pages. 

The second floor is also home to the new book display, which is just to your left as you come in the main entrance to the library. 

Find magazines (journals, periodicals)?
Search the online catalog for your periodical title.  Years of the journal that the library has and locations for the various issues will be given in the record.

Or search the title in the Geisler Journal List linked from the library home page.  This list will tell you all the places where you can get full text for a particular title.

Magazines and journals are located on both floors of our library. They are arranged alphabetically by title in their various locations.