The Lamson Library Web Site is the point of entry for access to all library resources. In this chapter you will find information regarding the Library Website.

The Library Web Site

Connect to the Lamson Library Web Site from any computer with Internet access. Log into myPlymouth, then click on the “Library” tab.

The library web site gives you direct access to the library’s catalog (LOLA), and other resources that will be outlined in this chapter. In addition, the Reference Librarians are very familiar with your assignments and your research needs. These librarians will be happy to guide you to the right information source - - print or electronic. Just ask.

LOLA — search the library’s catalog to find all of the materials, books, videos, CD’s, etc., in Lamson Library. See Chapter Five for more information.

Find

• Resources by Subject — Start here to find databases, reference books, websites, and more grouped by course discipline.
• Databases — An alphabetical list of our digital resources.
• Journal List — List of full-text and print journals available from the library.
• Books & More — List of our most recent titles.
• Reserves — Locate materials on Reserve for your classes.
• Grant information — Information on the Library Grant Research Center.
• Style Guides — This link connects you to a web sites properly illustrating how to cite sources, including Internet sites, in your bibliographies. (according to APA, MLA, and other style guidelines.)

Services

• Ask a Librarian — Have a research question? Look here for options.
• Commons Cafe — Hours, menu, etc. for the Learning Commons cafe.
• Document Delivery/Interlibrary Loan — Request materials from other libraries.
• First Year Seminar — This is where you will find the online text of the Introduction to Lamson Library; you are reading Chapter 4 right now.
• Information Desk — Have a question? Start here.
• Plymouth Academic Support Services — Information on academic counseling, peer tutoring, and services for students with disabilities.
• Spinelli Archives — Information on using this collection.
• Writing and Reading Center — Information to help you wtih your writing and reading needs.

Information

• Copyright — Information on Copyright law.
• Directions — Directions to Lamson Library, including where to park.
• Directory — Building directory.
• For Faculty — FAQ for teaching faculty.
• For Students with Disabilities — Information for Students with Disabilities.
• Hours — Find out what days and times the library is open.

My Account

• Renew Books — Renew books and look at your liibrary account. (Must be in My.Plymouth)

Resources by Subject

The Library has grouped recommended resources by subject. Each subject area is based on course disciplines, such as Business, History, or Education. These sources are some of the best for starting research.

Databases

Good research requires good information sources. Lamson Library subscribes to a number of databases providing bibliographic citations — and often the full-text of journal and newspaper articles. These sources are often peer reviewed or refereed. They’re the sources giving you the most credibility when cited in your bibliographies. Refer back to Chapter Three to review what “peer-reviewed” means. In Chapter Seven, there is more information regarding online databases.A few of the more popular databases include:

• Academic Search Premier: Academic Search Premier is the world’s largest scholarly, multi-discipline, full text database designed specifically for academic institutions. With the most valuable and most numerous collection of peer-reviewed full text journals, Academic Search Premier offers critical information from many sources found in no other database. and is the recommended starting point for most searches for periodical articles.
• LexisNexis Academic: LexisNexis Academic is a full-text, multi-subject database, with access to business, medical, and legal information. In addition to categories like Arts and Sports News, Non-English Language News, a unique feature is University News, where you can find full text articles from college newspapers around the United States.
• Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center: This is a full-text database, covering a wide variety of topics, and is the electronic counterpart to the print Opposing Viewpoints publications, most of which are located in the Reference area of Lamson Library. This is a valuable resource for pro and con articles and other information giving both sides of controversial issues.

Journal List

If you need to locate a Journal, begin your search here. This is a complete listing of all full-text and print journals available from the library. NOTE: This is not a database to find journal articles, but a listing to find out where you can locate specific journal issues.

Style Guides

When you have assignments that require research, it is important that you conduct your research in the most professional manner. A large part of this procedure is documenting your research, and creating a bibliography of sources you consulted in your research process. This process is covered in more detail in Chapter Six. From the Style Guides link on the library web site, you have access to the correct formats for A.P.A. (American Psychological Association), M.L.A. (Modern Languages Association), Chicago Manual of Style, and A.S.A. (American Sociological Association).

Your Account/Renew Books

You will find this link at the bottom of the Library Web Site, on the left side menu, under “My Account”. When you click on the link, you will automatically be connected to your personal library account. From here you can see how many items you have checked out, and renew items that are overdue or close to being overdue.

Review Questions

Access the Library’s website and try these activities:

1. You have been assigned a research paper in your History class. Where would you begin to locate relevant resources?
   Hint: History is a subject.
2. Go to the Databases page, then:a. Browse the list of available databases and write down the name of one database you might search to find articles on health issues.

   b. Write down the name of a database you might search to find articles related to business.

3. Using the Services menu:
   1. If you have a question about any services available in the library, to what central location should you go to ask?
   2. If you need help with academic issues, such as reading, writing, or with tutoring, which two services should you contact?
4. Using the Information menu:
   1. What time does the library close on Monday through Thursday?
   2. How would you find out how to contact a staff member in the Library?
5. What are the steps to follow to find out what materials you have checked out?

ANSWERS:

1. Click on Resources by Subject, then scroll down to the Social Science category and click on History.
2. 1. Academic Search Premier (ALL subjects), or Clinical Pharmacology, or Health Source, or Medline, or PubMed.
   2. Business Source Premier, or LexisNexis Academic, or Regional Business News, or Mergent Company and Industry Data.
3. 1. The Information Desk
   2. The Writing & Reading Center, and the PASS Office
4. 1. 11:30 p.m.
   2. Click on Directory
5. Scroll down to My Account section.
   Click on Renew Books.