Read 0303 @ NLC Library 

HANDOUTS

• Library Essentials -
• Using Online Databases -
• Primary Sources  
• Citing Sources - 
• Evaluating Websites -  

Primary v.s. Secondary Sources

Magazine v.s. Journal:  What's the difference?

Scholarly vs. Popular Articles

Want books? Use:

ALAMO LIBRARY ONLINE CATALOG 

Primary v.s. Secondary Sources

In the Online Catalog:

• Diaries
• Memoirs
• Letters
• Personal narratives (subject)

Want articles? Use:

ELECTRONIC DATABASES

• Academic Search Complete
• Opposing Viewpoints Center
• Reference Suite (Facts on File)

INTERNET SITES

   HOT LINKS- Helpful free websites in all subjects

 
SEARCH STRATEGIES 

• Boolean - AND, OR, NOT
• Field searching - Subject, Author, Title
• Quotation marks for exact phrase
• Truncation - root + variants (*) 
• Database Limiters: date, publication type, type, peer-reviewed, etc.

OPTIONS FOR FULL-TEXT - Where is the actual article???

•  PDF or HTML in database
• A TO Z ONLINE JOURNAL LOCATOR
• IDB & ILL

NEED HELP? Contact Us!

Call: (210) 486-5388

Email: nlc-reference@alamo.edu

Library Instructor: Linda Plevak