Books
can give you great in-depth and background information on a subject that can be very helpful…especially when writing persuasive essays.
To find books at the Carney Library, click here to get to our online catalog.
Since you may only have a topic to search, at first the best search to start with is:
Basic Keyword
Remember to ADD words to make your search more narrow and get better results (and fewer):
Example: video games -> video games children -> video games children effects
Also, leave out common words such as AND OR THE IS…etc.
Once you find a book you like, click on the title to get to the record. Then you can click on the gray button “BIBLIOGRAPHIC” to get a list of subjects. If you click on these you should get more titles of books LIKE that one that can be helpful to you!
Remember :
- If you search and find nothing: Check your spelling…is everything spelled correctly, no really…is it?
- Try to think of other words to search the same thing. How would you say…
DOG, PUP, CANINE, LAB ????
Periodical Databases
are good to find the most recent research and news on your topic
from reputable sources. Try
these databases to find full-text journal articles and abstracts of sources
that are peer-reviewed.
(Peer reviewed simply means that the article had to be read for facts and content by
an editor who is an expert in the field before it was published).
Journal Articles
Expanded Academic – contains thousands of abstracts and full-text articles from sources ranging from popular magazines to research publications.
Academic Onefile – is the best place to look for peer-reviewed citations and full-text articles from thousands of journals and reference sources.
Magazine and Newspaper Articles
Electric Library - Contains citations for articles in many popular magazines, newspapers, books, and sources such as radio and television transcripts.
National Newspapers - Has coverage of nine major newspapers including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal.
Massachusetts Newsstand – Full-text coverage of several local papers including The Patriot Ledger, Standard Times (New Bedford), the Boston Globe, and the Boston Herald.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the database only has an abstract or citation?
Use the library’s Journal Locator.
This will tell you if we have a print subscription and also if any other
databases might have it full-text.
What if I can’t find a full-text link or a print copy in the library?
You may request it through Interlibrary Loan.
This is a free service that allows us to get a copy of your article from another library. Books may also be borrowed from other libraries.
WARNING: This service takes at least a week, so make sure to use it early in your research process.
How do I find books and printed journals in the library?
Call Numbers A – N are located on the 5th Floor
Call Numbers P – Z are located on the 4th Floor
Journals and Magazines are located on the 3rd Floor
(Alphabetical order by title)
Reference booksare located on the 2nd Floor
How do I cite my books and journal articles?
Check out our great page on citing sources using MLA, APA, and other styles.
It will help you learn how to turn this regular citation from a database:
Video games and the Pedagogy of Place. David Hutchison.
The Social Studies 98.1 (Jan-Feb 2007): p35(6).
Into this using MLA format:
Hutchison, David. "Video games and the Pedagogy of Place." The Social Studies 98.1 (Jan-Feb 2007): 35(6). Academic OneFile. Thomson Gale. UMass Dartmouth. 31 July 2007 http://find.galegroup.com.
The MOST IMPORTANT Thing to know….
If you can’t find something…
If you are confused…
If your searches aren’t working…
Before you turn to Google…ASK A LIBRARIAN FOR HELP.
English 101
Library Resources
Kari Nyren Mofford ,
Librarian for English and American Language and Literatures
(508) 999-8865
Email Me
See Also:
