The Edgemont library catalogue has 26,000 titles, many of which have been purchased for particular assignments, and is constantly being updated. All of the books in the Edgemont library go through a review process before they are purchased. This is in addition to the editorial and peer review processes they went through when published. Nonfiction books, whether written by a single author or a collection of articles by different authors, are valuable resources for the student researcher throughout the research process. To search the Edgemont library, consult the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC), available on your desktop and recognizable by the green tree icon. Books are also available to you through the Westchester County Library System, which you are entitled to access. In addition, if you discover a title that is not available in either of these catalogues, your school librarian can often procure it through interlibrary loan. The library also continues to develop its electronic book holdings.
These are collections of general information, sometimes organized around a particular subject or genre, such as “Science” or “Biography,” and may lack identified authors. Encyclopedias are useful resources early in research assignments, because they help you learn what is commonly understood about a subject, and sometimes they provide resources you can consult for more in-depth information and analysis. To use only an encyclopedia for a long, formal research assignment is probably limiting, although for shorter-term assignments, and for preliminary reading when embarking on a longer assignment, encyclopedias can be very helpful. Your teacher will help guide you in the proper use of encyclopedias.
These are published regularly and often have a particular focus on current issues and/or events. Periodicals include magazines, newspapers, and online publications, and can be written by those with an expertise or interest in a particular subject area. Periodicals often include up-to-date information and frequently use vocabulary that is understandable to a wide array of readers.
These sources include articles on a wide range of topics geared to communities of those most versed in the subjects. Such articles have identified authors, closely-sourced work, and often go into significant depth. The articles are peer-reviewed, which means they have been evaluated by experts. The journals themselves bring a level of authority and legitimacy, given their reputations in their respective fields.