Select & Search sources

You have a choice in searching for books in catalogs, web sites, and the library subscribes to well over 100 different article databases. Where should you begin?

The answer: what kind of information are you looking for?

1. Background or quick facts - use Reference Sources

2. In-depth - use Books & Media (library catalog, NetLibrary) to find books or eBooks

3. Specific or very current aspects - use Articles & Reference (databases) to find articles (what broad subject area does your topic fit under?)

4. Regional topics - use Newspaper Databases to find articles

5. Specific periodical or browse for periodicals by subject area - use Journals by Title (aka the Journal Locator)

Of course, free web sites can offer some of the same information that library resources do, and sometimes web sites can fill your information need. Just be sure to evaluate those free web sites for purpose, authorship, date, and overall reliability. Remember: anyone can publish on the web!

NOTE: The SAC Library pays a subscription for the Databases. In order to verify you as a SAC community user, off-campus access to the Databases requires your default PALS info to login from off-campus. You can also get login info HERE. Faculty and Staff may still have to use their SSN & PIN (mmyy of birth) to login.

< Devise a search strategy / Evaluate your sources >