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Survey of Science Fiction (SINT 346-01)

Prof. K. Fowler

  May 14, 2007

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

lkeller1@ramapo.edu

x7316

• Library Homepage
• Find Books
• Reference Material
• Find Articles (Databases)
• Interlibrary Loan/Journal Finder
• Bibliographies
• Websites

 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, 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 women science fiction 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:

Science Fiction, English--History and Criticism

Science Fiction, English--Periodicals

Science Fiction, English--Women--History and Criticism

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.

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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:

Encyclopedia of science fiction	Ref PN3448.S45 E5
Twentieth-century American science-fiction writers	Ref PS129 .D5 v. 8
Science fiction writers : critical studies of the major authors from the early nineteenth century to the present day	Ref PS374.S35 S36 1999
The encyclopedia of science fiction movies	Ref PN1995.9.S26 H38 2001

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, books, and articles to find more information on your topic.

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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: radio and "science fiction" and "orson wells"
3. Always check your Spelling if the database results are Zero.

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V. Interlibrary Loan

Both of these links can be found under QUICK LINKS on the library's homepage.

• 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.

• Journal Finder: this provides information regarding if a journal is available full-text online, in print in the library, or available on microfilm.

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VI. Bibliographies

•    Use Citing Sources for examples of "In-Text Citations" and "Works Cited"
• Use the Citing Websites and Print Sources to get call numbers for paper copies of syle manuals.

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VII. Web Sources

• Subject Resources

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

Useful Website:

Science Fiction and Fantasy Research Database: "An online index to over 60,000 historical and critical items about science fiction, fantasy and horror." Can be searched by author, title, imprint, or subject.

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