Using the Library
What this handout is about
The UNC Libraries offer many resources and services to help you with all types of research and writing projects. This handout will provide a brief overview of how to access information, both in person and online.
Where is the library?
There are actually many different libraries at UNC. These include Davis Library, the House Undergraduate Library (sometimes called the UL), the Health Sciences Library, and over 40 departmental libraries and special collections. For a complete list, go to http://www.lib.unc.edu/libraries_collections.html.
How can I get help using the library?
The library website offers a number of ways you can get help. From the homepage (http://www.lib.unc.edu/), scroll down and click on one of the links under Research Help or Library Services.
How can the library help me with my research?
The library website offers a number of ways you can get help. From the homepage, scroll down and click on one of the links under Research Help or Library Services.
Librarians can help you find statistics and other data sets, primary source materials, photographs, DVDs, and many other resources. They can also assist you in using specialized databases and show you how to use citation tools such as Refworks and Endnote. Here are some ways you can get help:
- In person: You are welcome to stop by in person to ask questions at any time. No question is too big or too small. In Davis, the reference desk is located on the left side of first floor, past the elevators. At the UL, the information desk is to the right of the staircase on the first floor.
- Telephone and IM chat: You can call Davis Library at (919)962-1151 or the Undergraduate Library at (919)962-1355. You can also use an instant messaging service such as AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, or Google Talk; just send a message to "davisrefdesk" and "undergradref."
- Email: You can email questions to the library by clicking on the Email link on the bottom left side of the UNC Libraries homepage. Typically you will get a response within 1-2 business days (or less!).
- Individual consultation: You can set up an individual consultation with a librarian who specializes in your area of research. These appointments are similar to a Writing Center tutoring session in that you work one-on-one with a librarian on your specific project. She or he will ask you questions about your research topic, show you how to use topical or subject specific databases, and offer guidance on additional resources you may not know about.
- Request a book via interlibrary loan. If our libraries don't have the book you are looking for, you may still be able to get it from another library in our area.
- Request a book that is currently checked out. The person who has it checked out will receive a notice that someone else is interested; if she has the book checked out for longer than a month, it will be recalled.
- Take an online tutorial. Just click on "Tutorials" and "How Do I...?" for a list of topics, which include citing sources, finding materials, doing research in different academic disciplines, and evaluating information. There is even a page that will help you determine whether a source you are using is an scholarly journal, a trades/professional journal, or a popular magazine.
- Find out about services for library patrons with disabilities, international students, and distance learners.
How do I find stuff in the library and online?
All of the UNC libraries use the same online catalog, which means you can search in one place and get information about books, journal articles, videos/DVDs, maps, and archival materials all across campus. On the library homepage, type your search terms into the search box. You can modify the various options based on the needs of your assignment.
You can limit your search to articles, e-books, or e-journals, or use the advanced search option for even more specific ways to control your search. If you do an advanced search, you can limit findings by year, material type, language, and more.
The Libraries website includes a tutorial on how to conduct library research. The section on searching for information will help you determine where to look for information; it will also help you choose the right search terms to turn up the information you need. Choosing and connecting search terms is trickier than it might initially seem, and searching databases is not always the the same as using a search engine like Google—so it's definitely worth checking out this part of the website.
Can the library help me cite my sources?
The library has excellent resources for helping you cite sources in the proper format. For specific information, visit "How Do I Cite Sources?"
One of the tools provided by the Library is the Citation Builder. Select the format from the right-hand menu and fill in the information for each resource you need to document. The Citation Builder will show you how your works cited or bibliography entry should look in APA, MLA, or CBE/CSE. Using the citation builder is much easier than trying to follow the models in citation handbooks—but be sure to read over what it produces before you turn in your paper. If you don't have information for all of the required fields, you can enter a space or another character to "fake out" the program, but this will result in a citation with some extra or strange punctuation.
Another great tool is Refworks. Writers who are working with a lot of sources (such as graduate students and honors thesis writers) should definitely check it out. You can use the Refworks bibliographic management program to save, format, and organize your citations. Refworks also allows you to produce bibliography lists and format in-text citations. You can directly import citations from online databases while you are conducting your research. Refworks is a free product for UNC students, faculty and staff. To register for an account, learn more, or sign up for a training workshop go to http://www.lib.unc.edu/instruct/refworks/index.html or click on the Refworks link on the library homepage.
What else can I do on the UNC Libraries website?
Here are some of the things you can do from library website's homepage:
What is Google Scholar, and how can I use it?
Google Scholar is a subset of Google Web Search that enables you to search specifically for scholarly literature, including papers, theses, books, and reports. You should access Google Scholar from within the UNC Libraries website—you will be able to find more materials that you can view for free, instead of having to subscribe to the journal or magazine. By searching Google Scholar from the Library's home page, you will automatically have direct access, both on and off campus, to subscription articles already paid for by the library.
For more information about Google Scholar, visit http://www.lib.unc.edu/instruct/googlescholar/index.html#access .
When using Google Scholar, you can also import your citations directly into your bibliographic management program (such as Refworks or Endnote). First, click on the "Scholar preferences" link. Then select the appropriate option from the pull down menu at the bottom of the Web page.
