Short Stories

First Year Seminar

Short Stories

C. O'Neill September 26, 2006

Guide for finding sources at the George T. Potter Library
Leigh Keller

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I. Library Homepage Provides access to the catalog (OPAC), databases, interlibrary loan forms, etc.

Q&A New Jersey Reference assistance when there is no reference librarian available

II. Avoiding Plagiarism

Use Citing Sources for examples of "In-Text Citations" and "Works Cited" (MLA is located at the circulation desk - LB2369 .G53 2003 )

III. 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 "vocational guidance" or "occupations" to locate a broad range of material and look for ideas for your project

Tips

Start with broad searches. It is much easier to discard too much rather than start with too little.
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.
Can "virtually" browse the shelves by clicking on the call number in a record

IV. Electronic Resources

Academic Search Premier	A multi-disciplinary database containing both full-text articles and citations. When only a citation is included, click on the "Check availability at Ramapo" link to see if the full text of the article is available in our collection.
Literature Resource Center	Literature Resource Center provides access to biographies, bibliographies, and critical analyses of authors from every age and literary discipline.

Journal Finder : determine if a journal is available full-text online, in print in the library, or available on microfilm

V. Reference Material on Authors

Dictionary of Literary Biography Cumulative Index	Ref PS 129.D53
Contemporary Authors Cumulative Index	Ref PN 451.C63
American Short-Story Writers	Ref PS 129.D5

VII. Websites

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

VIII. Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary Loan: allows students to borrow a book or article that the Potter library does not own. There is a link from the Journal Finder page.

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

Please send your suggestions and comments to:
Liz Siecke