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Introduction to American Studies

Prof. Heed

  February 5, 2008

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/Videos

 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, government documents, reserve items, music, movies, journal titles (NOT JOURNAL ARTICLES) 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
  • write out a few keywords on your topics and enter them into the search box
  • DO NOT write out a sentence or your thesis statement
    • For example: I am writing a paper on the impact of women on music in the 1960s
    • you may want to start searching women music 1960s

Tips

1. Always go back and revise your searches! Look at using different terms and synonyms.
2. Start with broad searches. It is much easier to discard too much rather than start with too little.
3. Find more material on your topic by using the Subjects, etc... tab located on the top of a catalog record . This will link you to more books on a specific subject and help you focus on more relevant material.
4. Click on the call number in a record to "virtually" browse the library's shelves.

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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:

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
American Decades Primary Sources	E 169.1.A471977 2004
American Popular Culture Through History	Ref E169. 1...
Fifties in America	Ref E169.12 .F498 2005

Tips

1. Use reference books to browse for project ideas and to get started on your research.
2. Use Bibliographies to find more information on your topic.

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IV. Finding Journal Articles (Databases)

• These databases are for finding journal articles
• They are available 24/7 ONLY to Ramapo students
• Off campus use requires login: Ramapo email and password
• Some useful Databases for your projects

1. Always go back and revise your searches! Look at using different terms and synonyms.
2. This is your opportunity to be more specific in your searches
3. Always switch to the Advance Search page in a database. This will give you more control over your results.
4. Always use Boolean Operators-AND, OR, NOT when running a search. For Example: suburbs and "united states" and culture
5. 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/Videos

• Subject Resources

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

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.

VIDEOS

Streaming Video: search 50 titles (mostly educational) to watch in entirety or segments. Works on Windows Media Player and Quick Time. Login in with Ramapo email and password.

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

YouTube: Search thousands of videos!

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