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SSOC 314 ; Prof. Fowler
Guide for finding sources at the George T. Potter Library
 

September 25 , 2007

Leigh Keller

lkeller1@ramapo.edu

Group Panel and Abstract Guidelines

 I. Library Homepage

• Provides access to the catalog (OPAC), databases, interlibrary loan forms, etc.

II. Finding Books at the Potter Library

• Catalog: use this to find books, periodical titles (NOT articles ), government documents, reserve items, music,and movies owned by the Library. You may limit a search by language, year(s) of publication, type of material, etc. This may take a few seconds to load.

• Use the Basic Search to find material using Keywords
  • For example: search for: death children or death child to locate a broad range of materials the library has on these keywords
  • When you find an appropriate title, click on the Related Records tab located at the top of a catalog record to see which Library of Congress subject headings are discussed in that particular book/DVD/periodical

OR

• Search the catalog using Subject Browse feature if you know the relevant Library of Congress subject heading, for example:

• Children Death
• Grief
• Loss (psychological)

Tips

1. Start with broad searches. It is much easier to discard too much rather than start with too little.
2. If you don't know the Subject Heading, use the Related Records tab located on the top of a catalog record to get to the headings. This will help you focus in on more relevant material.
3. Can "virtually" browse the shelves by clicking on the call number in a record.

III. Reference Material

• The reference stacks are located on the 3rd floor (this is also the library's entrance).
• Some useful materials for your projects:

Macmillan Encyclopedia of Death and Dying	Ref HQ 1073.M33
Handbook of Death and Dying	Ref HQ 1073.H36
Handbook of bereavement research : consequences, coping, and care	Ref BF 575.G7 H355 2001
Death and Dying, Life and Living Links and Bibliography	From your syllabus

IV. Electronic Resources

• Some useful Databases for your projects:

Tips

1. Always switch to the Advanced Search page in a database. This will give you more control over your results.
2. Always use Boolean Operators-AND, OR, NOT when running a search. For Example: suicide and family and impact
3. Use quotations marks for phrases. For example: "united states"
4. Always check your Spelling if the database results are zero.
5. Use the Subject Terms or Thesaurus link, if available, to find the best terms to use in a database.

VI. Using Web Sources

Use Evaluating Websites to determine if the site is authoritative enough to use in your paper.

Some useful websites:

Growth House: to resources for life-threatening illness and end of life care.

With Eyes Wide Open: honest discussions about caregiving, grief, difficult decisions and what may lie beyond death.

On Our Own Terms: Bill Moyers presents a 4 part series about grief, mortality, caregiving, and afterlife.

VII. Bibliographies and Annotated Bibliographies

• Use the Citing Websites and Print Sources for "Works Cited" citation style guidance
• Use Citing Sources for examples of "In-Text Citations" and "Works Cited"
• Annotated Bibliographies:
  • How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography - Cornell University Library
  • Writing an Annotated Bibliography - Roger Williams University Library
  • Annotated Bibliographies: More Info - The Writing Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Need more help? Visit or call the Reference Desk: 201.684.7574

Use QandA NJ: a 24/7 virtual chat with a reference librarian. This link can be found under QUICK LINKS on the library's homepage.