How to Find BooksThis is a featured page



Using the Online Catalog (OPAC)YYour Librarian

How to Find Books - College EnglishOur library's catalog is called OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog). Use it it to find out what books, course reserves, government documents, DVDs, videos, CDs, and other materials we own and where they are located. NOTE: Do not use the catalog if you are looking for journal articles! To access journal articles go on the library's home page then under "Quick Links" click on Databases A-Z .

We have 8 OPAC stations located near the reference and circulation desks. Click here to access our catalog.

OPAC machines

TIPS:

  • Search the catalog using keywords to find materials
    • Write out a few keywords on your topics and enter them into the search box.
    • Don't write out a sentence. You will get zero results.
    • Use quotation marks if you are using phrases as keywords. For example, "Capital Punishment"
    • Use AND, OR or NOT to connect your keywords. For example, "Burma AND Conflict."
    • If you get way too many hits try narrowing down your search terms. For example, use "Sex Trafficking." instead of "Sex."
    • If you get no hits at all, do not despair! Check your spelling or use different keywords.
    • If all else fails, ask me or another Reference Librarian for help!

Finding online government documents and books in our catalog

  • Documents Without Shelves Collection: Online access to U.S. documents and books via the online catalog
    • To limit your search to this collection, go to More Limits (right-hand side of the screen) and scroll down the Location Bar to select Documents Without Shelves
    • This collection includes U.S. Government publications ranging from one-page reports to 300-page books
    • Books will be accessible by chapter or section
    • HINT: Don't click on print until you're sure of what you're printing!

Other things the catalog offers:

  • My Account: use this link to check your library record. You can RENEW your books here and see if you have fines.




This guide was made for your class by:

madel
Madel Tisi


ASK ME!
My Reference Desk Schedule:
Tuesdays 12:00 - 1:00pm Fridays 2:30pm - 4:30pm

My Q&ANJ Schedule:
Mondays 12:00-1:00pm

Contact Info:
Office 201-684-7510 (L-202B)
Reference Desk x7574
mtisi@ramapo.edu

Friend me! [Untitled]

Picking A Topic
Selecting a topic for a research paper or project can be very challenging. You will want to select a topic that is of interest to you. This will make the research, reading and writing less of a chore.(TIP: Always start with a broad topic. It is easier to eliminate information as you write than it is to start with too little.) It is a good idea to wait to decide on a topic until you do some preliminary searching for books, articles, and web-based resources. If you can't find enough, you will want the flexibility to select a new topic.

Reference Sources
How to Find Books - College EnglishA great start to preliminary research is browsing the REFERENCE SECTION in the library (located on the 3rd floor). Here are some suggested reference books for your class:

International Encyclopedia of Human Rights: Freedom, Abuses, and Remedies (REF JC571.M3243 2000)
Describes the concepts and terms, agreements, people, and organizations that help guarantee human rights for all around the world.

The Human Rights Encyclopedia (REF JC571.L523 2001)
A 3-volume encyclopedia, divided into two main sections: countries, and Issues and Individuals.

The Gay Rights Movement (REF HQ76.8.u5G385 2001)
Presents a collection of New York Times articles illustrating the development of gay and lesbian rights throughout the 30th century.

Encyclopedia of Modern Ethnic Conflicts (REF GN 496.E56 2003)
Focuses on 38 ethnic conflicts, presented with a timeline and extensive essay covering the conflict's details, historical background, management and significance. Sources for further reading are provided.

Wounds of War (REF JZ6530.L35 2004)
A great source for statistical and visual resources on the impact of war, recent wars and armed conflicts and a timeline of women and peace.

World at Risk: A Global Issues Sourcebook (REF JZ1242.W67 2002)
A detailed source covering major global issues, such as arms control, cultural preservation, development aid, genocide, human rights, war crimes, etc. Points to further reading and directories.

St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture (online access) (Print: REF E169.1.S764)
Available both in print and electronic format.

Beacham's Encyclopedia of Social Change : America in the Twentieth Century (REF HN59.2.B43 2001)
Multi-volume encyclopedic set. Organized in alphabetical order and then by time. Pictures and statistical information included.

A history of American higher education (REF LA226 .T45 2004)
A good and detailed resource on the development of higher education in America from the colonial era to 2000.

The Advertising Age: Encyclopedia of Advertising (REF HF 5803 .A38 2003)
Multi-volume encyclopedic set on advertising. Contains many images, both color and black and white.



















No user avatar
MadelTisi 		Latest page update: made by MadelTisi , Apr 22 2009, 2:42 PM EDT (about this update About This Update MadelTisi Edited by MadelTisi


view changes
- complete history)
Keyword tags: None
More Info: links to this page

Threads for this page

There are no threads for this page.  Be the first to start a new thread.