Philosophy of Beauty

Prof. Cassidy

  October 19, 2007

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

lkeller1@ramapo.edu

x7316

 

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 modern aesthetics to locate a broad range of materials the library has on these keywords
    • When you find an appropriate title, click on the Subjects, etc... 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:
      • Aesthetics
      • Aesthetics Modern
      • Feminine Beauty

     

    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 Subject, etc... 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:

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IV. Electronic Resources

Academic Search Premier

 

 A multidisciplinary database that contains many full-text articles. May also limit to scholary (peer-reviewed) journals.
JSTOR Comprised of the full-text of more than 500 academic journals
Social Sciences Journals The database includes over 510 titles, with more than 280 available in full text.
Expanded Academic A multidisciplinary database that contains many full-text articles
Art Full Text Full-text of many art/aesthetics journals
CQ Researcher A weekly publication providing original in-depth analysis of the most current major and controversial issues of the day with complete summaries, all the pros and cons, two bibliographies and more

Scholarly/Peer Reviewed/Refereed articles have been reviewed by a selected panel of experts in the discipline covered by that journal. Many of the databases allow you to limit your search to these articles.

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 and Quotation Marks when running a search. For Example: "medical ethics" and (stem cell or embryonic stem cell)
  3. Always check your Spelling if the database results are zero.
  4. Use the Subject Terms or Thesaurus link, if available, to find the best terms to use in a database.

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V. Interlibrary Loan

  • Journal Finder: this provides information regarding if a journal is available full-text online, in print in the library, or available on microfilm.
  • Interlibrary Loan: allows studens to borrow a book or article that the George T. Potter library does not own. There is a link from the Journal Finder page.

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

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VI. Web Sources

 

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VII. Bibliographies

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

Use QandA NJ: a 24/7 virtual chat with a reference librarian. (under QUICKLINKS on the homepage)


 
 
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