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IMPORTANT STEPS FOR A PRODUCTIVE LIBRARY VISIT
IMPORTANT STEPS FOR A PRODUCTIVE LIBRARY VISIT
MAKE SURE YOU REMEMBER THESE KEY PARTS NEXT TIME YOU ARE AT A LIBRARY, NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL, EVERY LIBRARY HAS THESE OPPORTUNITIES
Step One: As soon as you get to the library, talk with a librarian and tell them what you are up to. They can help. Almost every librarian actually LOVES to help and will be more than willing to help you make the best use of the library. Just ask!
Find out the best way to search for books and ask what computers you can use to locate information on databases that library has available.
ONCE YOU GET BOOKS, MAKE SURE YOU GO THROUGH THEM AND ACTUALLY READ THEM!! DON'T JUST START ON PAGE ONE, USE THE INDEX AND TABLE OF CONTENTS TO PICK THE BEST PAGES.
Step Two: Search the catalog (alone or with a librarian) for books on your subject AND books about the historical context of your subject (related things going on at the time of your topic).
HISTORICAL CONTEXT QUESTIONS TO ANSWER: What events happened before your topic that might have caused it? What was the world like at the time that made your topic a big deal? What was the culture and society like at the time and place of your topic and just before it? What political and/or religious movements might have made your topic possible?
COPIES, SCANNERS, CHECKING OUT AND TAKING NOTES ARE WAYS TO GET THE INFORMATION IN THE LIBRARY HOME WITH YOU
Step Three: You can check books out but you can also make photocopies of pages you want to save for later. You can also photocopy photographs/graphics for your project. Some libraries (like this one at the U of M) have scanners you can use for free and transfer onto a flash drive. It's always a good idea to bring some money to the library for copies (not required though!). A quality digital camera can also function as a scanner just make sure you keep track of the sources and which photos go with what. You need all the bibliographic details now!
PLAN ON SPENDING 30 TO 90 MINUTES AT A LIBRARY...
BUT REMEMBER, 10 MINUTES IS BETTER THAN NONE!
Step Four: Spend some time on databases that the library has access to. Remember that school has a lot of databases but the library you go to in your neighborhood or at a college (UM or SCSU) probably has a TON more! If you need help figuring out how to search a database you better ask. Using databases takes practice but once you get good at it you'll be on easy street for locating sources.
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