Library Resources
Some people still envision libraries as places to house stuffy stacks of books, and that librarians are only there to steer you to the reference book section. Library resources are greatly expanded, thanks to digital technology, and today’s librarians are likely to be media specialists who can help you find a great range of resources, such as:
- Books – Your professors will expect you to consult them and there are no substitutes for full-text materials. Borrow them or curl up with a reference book and explore the worlds within.
- Online Databases – Powerful databases make accessible thousands of articles and media. Your college library subscribes to at least one or more.
- Periodicals – Print versions of newspapers, magazines, and professional journals
- Archives – Your library may house collections of historically significant materials and artifacts
- Interlibrary loans – Request materials from other libraries
- Videos & audio recordings – For pleasure as well as academic purposes
- Course reserve materials – What your professors may require you to read, watch, or listen to
- Computer terminals – For research, communication, media access
- Electronic equipment – Computer terminals, printers, photocopiers, audio devices, scanners, and other equipment may be available
- The library homepage – It’s loaded with links that might include:
- The catalog of library collections
- Circulation policies – How long materials can be borrowed
- An interactive “Ask the Librarian” feature, where you can type a query
- Electronic journals or E-journals
- Research guides, often by subject
- Online tutorials – For research, citation and documentation and library tools