Using the LibraryResearch 101

Activity: Locating Library Services

Before you start your research, it’s good to know your way around our new library website. In groups find and prepare to explain:Group 1: How do you connect from off campus?Group 2: How do you renew a book online?Group 3: How can you talk to a subject librarian?

take 5 minutes

The Library Service Desk

• Check out a book• Pick up an InterLibrary

Loan• Get research help from a

librarian or library GURU

Talk to a real person

Tips for Successful Online Reference Help

Remember: not everyone has free access to a research expert.

Librarians staff the chat desk between 10 AM and 12 Midnight Sunday-Thurs

Here’s how to get the most out of chatting with a librarian:

Isolate the part of your assignment that is research oriented Concisely tell the librarian why you need information State your questions clearly Be patient It’s ok to ask more than one question!

There’s a Guide for That

FindIt! at USF vs. the Catalog

FindIt! A federated search

engine Retrieves all formats of

data Indexes most, but not

ALL, library databases

Best for: finding articles

The Catalog A library created

electronic record of everything in our holdings

Offers subject headings to search under

Best for: finding books

Search Plan: Hamlet

Activity: Searching in

Findit!In your groups:

Navigate to the library homepage and follow the search plan challenge • Record how many results

you find• Write down the citation in

MLA

Questions?