Purpose: This online workshop introduces library resources and methods for finding high quality information in books, articles, on the web, and in other formats.

Objectives: When you have successfully completed this OWL, you will be able to:

• Explain what the HSU Library Catalog is and what it contains
• Perform different types of searches in the HSU Library Catalog
• Describe the catalogs of some other libraries and explain why you might want to search them
• Select the best databases or indexes for a given research project
• Locate and use available online or print help for searching these sources
• Determine whether a periodical article is in the HSU Library, in print or fulltext
• Locate periodical articles that are in the Library, in print or fulltext
• Explain what the Internet is
• Give reasons for using either a directory or a search engine for finding information on the Internet
• Use an Internet directory to find information on topics of interest
• Use an Internet search engine to find information on topics of interest

Contents:

• Finding Books with Library Catalogs
  • Searching the HSU Library Catalog
  • More Catalogs
• Finding Articles with Databases or Indexes
  • What are Periodical Indexes and Abstracts?
  • Choosing the Best Database, Index, or Abstract for Your Research
  • Tips for Searching
  • Obtaining the Item
• Searching the Web
• Obtaining the Item

Exercises

Quiz

Handouts:

• Books and Library Catalogs
  • Atlas and Map Collection
  • Audio Recordings Collection
  • Circulation Status/Order Information
  • Understanding Library of Congress Call Numbers
  • Video & DVD Collection
• Articles and Databases or Indexes
  • Electronic Database Worksheet
  • Flow Chart for Obtaining the Article
  • Finding Articles Worksheet
  • Finding Title Abbreviations
  • How to Interpret Search Results
  • Off-Campus Access to Databases
  • Selected List of Print Indexes in the Humboldt State University Library
• The Web
  • Comparison Chart for Directories and Search Engines
  • Interent Directory Evaluation Sheet
  • Internet Search Engine Evaluation Sheet
    

Send comments and suggestions about this page to: Martha Johansen
Last Updated: August 21, 2006
© 2004