NEW LIBRARY WEBSITE
You may have noticed that the library has a very new website! We've completed redesigned and reorganized the site, focusing on trying to make it very intuitive to the new user -- but for those of us who are used to using the old site, it may take some time to find everything! Most of your old bookmarks won't work, so be sure to poke around and find the new pages.
Here is a quick visual introduction to the layout of the new site, highlighting the sections of the site that will probably be of most interest to you:
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CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW |
If you have ANY questions about where to find information, please feel free to email me: kendrav@sfsu.edu. I'd be more than happy to come by your office to give you a quick orientation to the new site, if that would be helpful.
NEW WAYS TO ACCESS LIBRARY DATABASES
As part of the new website, we have a new interface for accessing the databases. You will see the most useful changes when you browse by subject, as you'll then see databases sorted into subcategories, links to relevant research guides, and contact info for the subject librarian for one-on-one help.
Here's a quick visual orientation to the new database access system, with a view of the HISTORY subject section:
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CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW |
If you have ANY questions about accessing databases, please feel free to email me: kendrav@sfsu.edu. I'd be more than happy to come by your office to give you a quick orientation to the new setup, if that would be helpful.
LIBRARY RESEARCH CLASSES
As always, please contact me with requests for library sessions for your classes. Classes can be custom tailored to meet your needs.
We have been very successful in making sure all of the HIST 300 classes are receiving library instruction, covering the basics of locating secondary and primary sources. As an FYI for those who have not taught HIST 300 recently, here is what I go over with the students -- hopefully this information will help you know what to expect in terms of research background for your upper division history majors:
- Primary vs. secondary sources: what's the difference? How are they used in research projects?
- Topics: creating search terms, broadening & narrowing searches, the recursive nature of searching.
- Searching: the basics, including how to input a search, how to understand item records, how to track down items.
- Journal article databases: focus on America: History & Life / Historical Abstracts; medieval history students use International Medieval Bibliography.
- Book databases: quick intro to using InvestiGator, Link+.
- Primary sources - the very basics of: how to find historical magazines & newspapers (focus on library databases like ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times); how to find sources online (SF State library databases, plus university/library websites); how to find sources in books (at SF State [InvestiGator] and from other libraries [Link+]).
- How to get help in the library: research guides, Research Assistance (Reference) desk, contacting me.
REQUESTS TO BUY ITEMS FOR THE LIBRARY COLLECTION
Please forward to me any materials that you would like me to purchase for the library collection. Although I can't always purchase every item, I try to fulfill most requests. You can send me an email, or just forward print-outs or catalogs via campus mail. Should you wish to purchase items to go on reserve for your classes, it's best to contact the Reserve Book Room directly -- they can obtain your item more quickly than I.