Introduction to Library Research Subject Guide

Introduction to Library Research Contents

 Introduction

Library Orientation

Resources Supported by FSU

Services Provided by Chesnutt Library

Library Guide to Starting Research

Searching for Materials at Chesnutt Library

Searching for Materials at Chesnutt Library

Online Catalog

Search for Journal Articles, Book Reviews, etc.

Periodicals

Online Catalog

What will I find in the Chesnutt Library online catalog?

Use the online catalog to find:

-         book

-         serial (journals & magazines)

-         video recording

-         sound recordings

-         cartographic

-         music score

-         ebooks

-         archives / manuscripts

-         Visual materials

You will NOT find:

-         individual magazine or journal articles

How do I find books, and other items, in the Chesnutt Library online catalog?

1. Select Catalog Find Books and other materials on the Library’s homepage

2. Decide what kind of search you need to do and select it from the menu

3. Search for the item(s) – see the search tips below

4. If you do not find what you are looking for then you can:

   1. Look at a Subject Guide

   2. Or ask a reference librarian for help

Search by Keywords

1. Type the Words you want to search

2. Select any qualifications you want to apply to the search

   1. Material Type

   2. Language

   3. Library

   4. Location

   5. Year

   6. Search and Sort (how to sort the results list)

3. Press “enter” or click Search

Keyword Searches are a little more complicated that Title or Author searches.

Ø      Keywords Search will search for words in the title, subject, author, and notes

Ø      multiple words are searched as a phrase

o       Example: barrier islands will search for the phrase; it will not search for instances in which barrier and islands are separated by other words.

Ø      Boolean searches

o       Use Boolean Operators (and, or) to combine words in a search

o       OR will expand your search

o       AND will narrow your search

o       combine AND and OR, using parantheses

Ø      Words may be truncated using an asterisk

o       environment* will search for environment, environmental, environmentally, etc.

Search by Title

1. Type the Title, use as many or as few of the words as you want

2. Press “enter” or click Submit Search

Search by Subject

1. Type the Subject

2. Press “enter” or click Submit Search

Search by Author

1. Type author’s name: Last name first, then first name

You can also type in the names of artists and composers, government bodies, or the names of organizations, etc.

2. Press “enter” or click Submit Search

Search by Author/Title

1. Type author’s name: Last name first, then first name

2. Type the Title, use as many or as few of the words as you want

3. Press “enter” or click Submit Search

Search by Journal Title

1. Type the Journal Title, use as many or as few of the words as you want

2. Press “enter” or click Submit Search

Search RESERVES by Course

1. Type the Course Name you want

2.  Press “enter” or click Submit Search

Search RESERVES by Instructor

1. Type the instructor’s name: Last name first

2. Press “enter” or click Submit Search

Search Call Number & Other Numeric Searches

1. Select the type of number

2. Type the number

3. Press “enter” or click Submit Search

Search for journal articles, book reviews, etc.

How do I find journal articles, book reviews, etc.?

There are two big steps in locating journal articles.

1. Search for your topic and create a list of article citations

2. Locate the articles cited

Search for your topic and create a list of article citations

1.      Select Databases Search for articles in library databases on the Library’s homepage

2.      Charles W. Chesnutt Library Database Finder: Choose a database to search

a.       Browse the Subject List of Databases will take you to a list of databases useful for the selected subject.

b.      List Database Titles Alphabetically is useful when you know the name of the database you want to search.

c.       Find Databases by Title or Keywords allows you to search for databases by title or keywords

d.      Look at the Subject Guide for your topic and choose a database recommended for your subject.

3.      Select the database by clicking on its name

a.       If you are on campus you will go to the database

b.      If you are off campus you will be asked to identify yourself as an FSU student, faculty, or staff member using your name, university ID (social security number without dashes), and library PIN.

4.      Search the database

a.       Each database is a little different but good search strategies apply to all databases.

b.      Know the keywords you need to search [see Developing A Research Topic and Collecting Background Information]

c.       Remember all databases have a search tips link that can help you search more efficiently

d.      Title and author searches are pretty standard

e.       Keyword Searches are a little more complicated that Title or Author searches.

                                                               i.      Keywords Search will search for words in the title, subject, author, and notes

                                                             ii.      multiple words are searched as a phrase

                                                            iii.      Example: barrier islands will search for the phrase; it will not search for instances in which barrier and islands are separated by other words.

                                                           iv.      Use Boolean Operators (and, or) to combine words in a search

1.      OR will expand your search

2.      AND will narrow your search

3.      combine AND and OR, using parantheses

                                                             v.      Words may be truncated using an asterisk

                                                           vi.      environment* will search for environment, environmental, environmentally, etc.

5.      Record the article citations that interest you.

a.       Be consistent. Take advantage of database features that allow you to mark records and either email or print the records off.

6.      Retrieve the article citations.

a.       Print on line full text articles.

b.      Search for the journal the article is in, retrieve the journal, and read the article.

Periodicals

How do I find journal titles in the Chesnutt Library online catalog?

1. Select E-Journals Locate E-journals/Journals by title on the Library’s homepage which takes you to Journal Finder:

   1. Use Journal Finder to determine if :

                                                               i.      Chesnutt Library provides electronic access to a journal

                                                             ii.      Chesnutt Library owns a print copy of the journal

                                                            iii.      Which other libraries may have print copies

                                                           iv.      Order copies of articles through Interlibrary Loan

2. Search for the journal title

   1. Enter the name of the journal and click “search”

OR:

2. Click “Advanced Search”

                                                               i.      Title Search

                                                             ii.      ISSN Search

                                                            iii.      Browse E-journals only

3. Retrieve the journal article

   1. Print off full text

   2. Pull the journal from Chesnutt Library’s journals & read or photocopy the article

   3. Request the article via Interlibrary Loan

BACK TO TOP

Return to Subject Guides Home Page
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Charles W. Chesnutt Library, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, N.C. 28301
Page Maintained By: Laura Bell Wright lwright@uncfsu.edu
Last Updated: 5/23/05