FYE Tutorial - An Introduction to the FIU Libraries
1. Introduction to theFIU LibrariesLearning About the Library & Getting Started Douglas Hasty First Year Experience Librarian douglas.hasty@fiu.edu Office: 305-348-2459
2. As part of an academic institution, the FIU Libraries are dedicated to helping students use the library as part of their higher education experience. We are here to help you. Online. In person. Ask. Write. Call. Chat. Visit. The Library’s Role in Your Education
3. Going to the Library is aVirtual Experience. library.fiu.edu/AskUs.aspx
4. Going to the Library is aPersonal Experience. Send Directions and Contact Information to Your Phone Green Library, MMC Hubert Library, BBC
5. Some of the Tools & Skills You’ll Need Laptop / Computer / Smart Phone / other devices Textbooks and Required Readings (print or electronic) Time Management Skills Excellent Study Habits Patience & Stress Management Focusing on the Task and Reducing Distractions Enthusiasm and Commitment
6. Sooner or Later,You’ll Need the Library We Can Support You by: Answering questions, providing guidance for research and assignments Suggesting relevant databases and sources Offering research strategies for success Teaching ways to evaluate reliability of sources Providing online resources Providing a building with meeting and study spaces in a modern, comfortable environment
7.
8. You may need to travel about the library to locate materials.
9. Please don’t let the location of an item detract you from getting it. Usually, it is worth the short distance.
10.
11. The Library – Offers objective advice Helps you understand how the library works Helps you understand how research works Listens Gives confidential assistance & guidance Has your best interests in mind Understands your situation – we were freshmen once How Does the Library Support You?
12. Waiting to the last minute? Plan ahead if possible. A little time spent planning will save a lot wasted time later on. Research well done comes from good planning rather than last minute efforts. Develop a research plan. Strategize. Read critically. Ask questions. Choose sources carefully. Contact us at any time – don’t hesitate to ask for help. I Need It Now
13. Sometimes you with one topic and discover that another topic is better or more interesting. Don’t be surprised if this happens Starting in one direction may lead you to another outcome. This is part of the research process: Discovery. When this happens you may have found a better way to write your paper. The Perfect Topic
14. Writing a paper is not about repeating someone else’s opinion. Writing a paper is more than using one source for an entire paper. (Hint – see above) A paper is a collection of opinions united together that supports and proves your thesis statement. Don’t rely upon one or two sources – you’ll need more. The Perfect Source
15. Authors – Objective or Subjective? How Can You Tell? Is the writer of an article or book objective or subjective? Do they present objective findings? Are they marketing their opinion disguised as “research”? Hint - consider the background of the author. Experience affects peoples’ interests and intentions. This only natural – just be aware of their perspective when you decide to use their material or not. Whose Dog is in the Fight?
16. It Is What You Say -Searching for Information Think about the best way to describe your topic Identify 2 or 3 words that best represent your idea Search with those select words, then review the results Select a one of the results (a record) that best fits or closely matches the types of records you want Go into the record, and see what terms or subject headings is used to describe this record Take those words, do a new search, and you should have a better set of records displayed
17. For Example Your Topic: “The influence of William Shakespeare’s writings on the English Language.” Your Must Find: Books in the FIU Libraries Articles or papers published in peer reviewed publications A peer reviewed publication is a scholarly work containing papers reviewed and approved for publication by scholars and professionals in the same field as the author.
18. Go to the libraries home page at library.fiu.edu Click on the CATALOG tab Go to the BOOKS tab and use the Basic Search option Search words: Shakespeare English effects In the search results, go to the record with the book title: Shakespeare and the Origins of English Click on the title to enter the record. Searching for Books
19. Is this an e-book or a print book? For e-books – follow the link to open and read it. For print books – look at the end of the record for the campus, collection, call number, and availability information. Hint – to find more books like this one, go into the record and scroll down to the Subjects section, then click the subject links for more searches. Lost? Ask a librarian or the circulation desk for help. Searching for Books, continued
20. Go to the libraries home page at library.fiu.edu Click on the RESEARCH tab Try a quick search in the middle box, Not Sure Where to Start? Or, search by subject in the left-hand side box, Browse by Subject Lost? Go to the Need Help box for online tutorials and librarian contact information. Searching for Articles
21. For more online help, go to the library home page at library.fiu.edu to the “Research Help” section. Contact us at any time by phone: Green Library, MMC – 305-348-2454 Hubert Library, BBC – 305-919-5726 Online via library.fiu.edu More Help…
