Thursday, March 12, 2009

Getting Started in Library Instruction

I have sat in on three library instruction sessions to date. The core of the instruction has been:


Finding your way around the Library - show the map

  • Circ. - where you check out your books, pick up Prospector and ILL, Lost and Found, get change
  • Reference - Where to ask questions about your searches, How do I find ...
  • Reserves/Film/Video - Where your instructor has placed something for you to read or watch that can only be used for 2 hours in the library or overnight. Films/videos can only be watched in the Library (for students only)
  • 2nd floor - circulating book collection, Archives, Shelving, Library Administration

Give a bookmark and highlight our hours

If they have fines they can't get into the databases, Prospector, or ILL

Then how to navigate the home page: http://library.auraria.edu

Page to reserve study room (hard to find)

http://host5.evanced.info/aurariacolorado/evanced/roomrequest.asp?mm=1

Search a book; title, author, keyword (most expansive), subject (keywords selected by someone else).

If we don't own it, Search Prospector (brown pages) - unified catalog of23 libraries, locally and one in Wyoming. Generally a shorter turn around time than ILL.

Search Journal Title when you have the name of the journal

Article Search; using federated box searches 12 databases at once and can get bogged down. Better go to databases A-Z.

We can search by subject and get a group of databases specific to the topic.

Can search in ACADEMIC SEARCH PREMIER - leads to Ebsco Search screen.

  • Will require time and patience.
  • Start with keywords and narrow the search down by using full text, peer reviewed journals, how far back you want to go in your research.

SPECIFIC DATABASES THAT ARE USEFUL

  • CQ Researcher good for current topics