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Library Guides: Speech 4 Instructor, Heather Bixler
REFERENCE BOOKS: Located
on the first floor of the library behind the Reference Desk. These books
must remain in the library. Reference books include dictionaries, almanacs and encyclopedias. Specialized or
subject encyclopedias (concentrating on a particular subject instead of covering
all knowledge) are excellent starting points for research. They are focused on a
particular topic, cover the major concepts of the topic, are written by experts
in the field, and often have bibliographies or other references. Examples of
Reference books in the COS library are as follows: CIRCULATING BOOKS: Located on the second floor of the library. Our newest books are, for the most part, in the areas of science and social issues, and current topics, because we try to build the collection to the type of assignments given to students. Some subject headings you might use in the COS book catalog are as follows:
Also in the circulating books area thee are books such as Webster's New World Student Writing Handbook (808.042 S713) describing how to journal. PERIODICALS INDEXES AND DATABASES: Located on the first floor of the library. Periodicals refer to information printed over a period of time such as magazines, journals and newspapers. These are excellent sources for current and authoritative information. To find an article on a specific topic, it is necessary to use an index. Indexes are available in paper and electronic formats. The library subscribes to approximately 23 indexes, 300 periodicals and 13 newspapers. For a list of which periodicals and indexes are available at COS click on the link: http://www.cos.edu/library/periodicalsalpha.htm . For periodicals that the COS Library does not have available, there is also the possibility of an Inter-Library Loan from Fresno State University.ALSO, through the Electronic Resources link, http://cos.edu/library/electronic.htm, on the COS Library’s Web Site, there are links to the electronic index subscription databases that the library makes available to COS students. Many of these indexes offer full-text articles, which means the entire article will be available even if the library doesn't subscribe to the periodical itself. If a student is off campus, passwords are necessary to access these databases. Passwords are available for COS students at the COS Library Information Desk or by calling the Library at (559) 737-6179. InfoTrac is a periodical index database that works well when using a subject search. When entering a subject search, you can use broad terms, because the index will automatically help to narrow the search. This index is not completely full-text. Academic Abstracts is a periodical index database that works well when using a key-word search. When entering a key-word search, you need to use precise words and the more words you add, the narrower the search becomes. This index is not completely full-text. INTERNET: The Internet provides vast amounts of information, but much of it has not been submitted to an editorial process. Web Directories are helpful, because usually the linked web pages have had human scrutiny. Examples of web directories are as follows:
Web Sites by Topic:
http://www.cos.edu/library/subject/internet.htm
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