Guide to Library Research

Your first big research assignment can seem overwhelming at first. This guide to research sources will clear up your confusion about reliable print sources like books and journal articles.

Are you confused in the library? The Dewey Decimal System is used in most public libraries as the classification system. Books are arranged according to subjects.

Lost in the library? Improve your research skills by recognizing key words and phrases used in the library.

Your professor may tell you that you’re required to use journal articles for your research paper. You read articles all the time in magazines—but you know that’s not the sort of article your professor is looking for. So what is a journal article, and how do you find one?

An interlibrary loan is a service offered by research libraries. In the course of your research, you will frequently find a book or article you need desperately, only to discover that it is not available at your library. Interlibrary loans provide a means for you to access sources from faraway libraries.

The reference librarian can ease your research anxiety. The reference librarian is an expert when it comes to locating sources, narrowing down your topic, and navigating the library.

Reminiscences of My Life: A Black Woman’s Civil War Memoirs, by Susie King Taylor, offers a fascinating glimpse into the front line of the Civil War. This historic work is available as an electronic source, provided by the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

For some students, one of the biggest differences between high school and college is the amount and depth of research that is required for research papers. Learn about call numbers, using a card catalog, finding articles, exploring special collections, and more.