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 I. Library Homepage: http://library.ramapo.edu

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

II. Finding Books at the Potter Library

• Catalog: use this to find books, journal 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.

• Search the catalog using Keywords to find material
  • For example: search for working class women to locate a broad range of material and look for ideas for your project

  OR

  Search the catalog using Subject Browse feature ONLY if you know the Library of Congress Subject Headings

• For example:

New Towns--United States

Suburbs--United States

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:

American Decades Primary Sources	Ref E169.1 .A47 1997
Encyclopedia of American Studies	Ref E169.1.E625
Annals of America	Ref E173.A793
Ammerican Immigrant Culture	Ref E184.A1.A63448
St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture	Ref E169.1.S764

Tips

1. Use reference books to browse for project ideas and to get started on your research.
2. Use the Bibliographies at the end of encyclopedia entries to find more information on your topic.

IV. Electronic Resources

• Some useful Databases for your projects:

1. Always switch to the Advance 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: suburbs and "united states" and culture
3. Always check your Spelling if the database results are Zero.

V. Bibliographies

• Use the Citing Websites and Print Sources for citation style guidance.
• Help with Turabian :Turabian Style Guidance

VI. Web Sources

American Memory: American Memory provides free and open access through the Internet to written and spoken words, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps, and sheet music that document the American experience. It is a digital record of American history and creativity. These materials, from the collections of the Library of Congress and other institutions, chronicle historical events, people, places, and ideas that continue to shape America, serving the public as a resource for education and lifelong learning.

PBS: American Experience: American Experience and many other PBS programs are great sources of information.

American Studies at the University of Virginia: Great source of different types of material-comic strips, e-text, etc.

Google Video: Search thousands of TV shows, videos, movies, and more.