Ok, so I'm in the Library. Where do I start?

It depends on what you are looking for.  Here's an FAD (Frequently Asked Directions)

Books

Start with the Library Catalog.  There is a link for it on the Library home page.  If all you want to do is find some books, use the computer station at the end of the first row of student computers (it has a sign that says "Library Catalog").  It's always set on the catalog.  If you are going to do some other computer work, log in on one of the student computers

For a review of how to use the Library Catalog, take a look at our tutorials.

After you look up some books and write down the call numbers, you can ask at the Front Desk or the Reference Desk for help finding them.  After you find a few, you'll be able to do it on your own.

For a review of how to access ebooks, see my blog entry from October 26, 2012.

Textbooks (and other Reserves)

The Library does not buy or sell textbooks, but if your professor loans us a copy, we'll put it on reserve at the Circulation Desk.  You'll be able to look at it in the Library, but not check it out.

Magazines

Walk in the door, turn right, and you'll see the magazine display racks.  Here you can find the latest issue of newspapers and about 100 of our magazines.  A row of comfy chairs is there, too.

Some of the most popular magazines are kept at the Front Desk, as well as some of the newspapers.  Notices on the magazine display racks tell you which ones are at the Front Desk.

The rest of our back issues are shelved in the Periodicals section, in the northwest corner of the Library.  For most titles, we keep 10 years worth.

You can find articles in hundreds more magazines and newspapers in our online databases.  See our tutorials for review of how to use them.

Journals 

The best place to look for peer reviewed journal articles is our collection of online databases.  In just about every database, you can limit your results to this kind of article by checking a box that is labeled either "peer reviewed", "scholarly", or "academic journals".

Or Just Ask

Don't feel embarrassed if you need some help using the Library.  Between all the printed materials, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, VHS videos, and electronic links, it's a fairly complicated place.  We won't laugh or make faces at you.  We'll try our best to help you find whatever you need.