Sakae Program

Introduction to the LibraryKathleen Baril, Librarian

What We Will Do

• Take a brief tour of the Ohio Northern Library

• Introduction to library research

• Learn how to find books in the library catalog

• Learn how to find journal articles in a library database

Start Your Research

• Start BIG! Do background research, read books and reference books (encyclopedias, handbooks, yearbooks,etc).

• Narrow your topic and begin finding articles and more specific books on your topic.

• Take note of search terms to help you find relevant research materials.

Research Tools

Catalogs : For locating books, maps, musical scores, govt. documents, etc. Our catalog is called POLAR.

Research Tools

Databases – usually for locating periodical and newspaper articles, but may cover other materials as well.

Library Catalog - POLAR

Library Catalog - POLAR

Keyword Search• Does not require an exact match.• Generates comparatively large

number of hits (not precise). • Good if you are not familiar with the

words used in the subject area. • Looks in several locations (usually

subject, article title, abstracts or contents)

Library Catalog - POLAR

Begin by typing search terms in the search box.

Library Catalog - POLAR

Results page, results will include books, e-books, online journals and print journals.

Library Catalog - POLAR

• Location: Where to find the book in the library.

• Call No.: Use this number to find the book on the shelf.

• Status: Is this book available for checkout?

Library Catalog - POLARUse subject headings to find similar books on your topic.

Finding Articles - DatabasesDatabases: • Are often tools for

locating journal and newspaper articles.

• Are subject-specific, some cover many subjects.

• Some give access to the full text of articles.

Scholarly Versus Popular Periodicals

Finding Articles - Databases

Magazines or Popular Periodicals• Glossy pages and lots of pictures• Edited by magazine editors• Articles usually written by staff

journalists• Short articles• Targeted to general audiences

Scholarly Journals/Periodicals• Peer-reviewed• Longer • Citations/Bibliography• Written by scholars, experts in the field

of study• Targeted to scholars, students in a

particular field of study

Finding Articles - DatabasesClick on Databases – alphabetical & subject listing to search for articles.

Finding Articles - Databases

Search for database by name or subject.

Finding Articles - Databases

Academic Search Complete

Finding Articles - DatabasesAcademic Search Complete

Enter search terms here.

Finding Articles - DatabasesMany ways to limit your search: by date, to scholarly peer-reviewed articles, by language, etc.

Finding Articles - DatabasesBring mouse cursor over the magnifying glass to get more information about the article.

Finding Articles - Databases

Click on PDF Full Text or HTML Full Text to get full text of the article. If you do not see a PDF or HTML link, click on the Find IT! Button.

What if the button DOESN’T find it?

Don’t click on the option to find it on the publishers website. You will need to request the article through ILL.

Finding Articles - DatabasesFound it!

Good Luck!

• More questions?• Contact the Reference

Desk at 419-772-2185.• Contact me directly:

k-baril@onu.edu or 419-772-2188.