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Library Instruction


If you would like to schedule a time for a librarian to meet with your class or your group, please contact the library. We can address topics needed to complete a specific course assignment or you may choose from the options below:

                     

Intro. to Academic Libraries & the PSU System

Penn State University Libraries. Many libraries. One library system.

  • Books
    • The CAT
    • Locating Books (Call Numbers)
    • Borrowing Policies
    • 'My Library Account'
  • Finding Articles
    • What is a research database? How does it help?
    • ProQuest (magazines & journals)
    • Access World News (newspapers)
  • Interlibrary Loan options
  • Asking for Help (in person, phone, online)

A walk through the Research Process

  • Selecting & Narrowing a Research Topic
  • Using the WWW and other tools to locate background information
  • Identify books relavent to your topic
  • Use a research database to locate popular (newspaper/magazine) articles
  • Use a research database to locate scholarly (peer reviewed) articles
  • Citing Sources
  • Asking for Help (in person, phone, online)

Searching the WWW

  • Google. Not the only place to start.
  • The Invisible Web (information on the web but not found by search engines)
  • Information: Not always free  
  • What is not on the Internet

Evaluating Sources

  • Can you identify the author? If not, be careful
  • Ok, so we know the author's name. But who are they?
  • Identifying an author's motivation and bias
  • Identifying sources most appropriate for your need

Advanced Searching (Books)

  • The CAT (getting better results)
  • Searching vs. Browsing
  • Understanding Call Numbers and Subject Headings
  • InterLibrary Loan options for Books
    • 'I Want It'
    • EZ-Borrow
    • WorldCat

Advanced Searching (Articles)

  • Getting familiar with scholarly (peer-reviewed) journals
  • Identifying the right research database & understanding what it content it includes 
  • Using advanced search features to get better results
  • Understanding subject headings and indexes
  • How to obtain the full-text when you only have a citation

Citing Sources / Avoiding Plagiarism

  • Necessary parts of a citation or reference
  • Practice with APA style
  • Practice with MLA style
  • Academic integrity policies at PSU

Research Tips by Subject

Librarians can also focus on research in other areas such as:

  • Business
  • English
  • Forestry
  • HDFS
  • Nursing
  • OT
  • PT
  • and more

Contact the library to arrange a research session that meets your needs.

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Contact




1 Campus Dr.
Mont Alto, PA 17237
717-749-6040

 
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