Module Descriptions

How to Locate Books Module

An in-depth look at ACE, the Libraries' catalog. Library of Congress subject headings and classification system are introduced to students to help them understand how information is organized and made accessible at UE Libraries. ACE is demonstrated to the students, where functions of the system are explained, such as logging into the system. Tips on how to effectively search ACE using the various fields are offered. A hands-on exercise is distributed to students so that they can begin to do their research while using the skills they just learned.

Basic Reference Sources Module

Reference materials can be easily overlooked in the rush to find full text articles online. This module has students carefully examine different reference books, both in the course discipline and outside of it, while completing a worksheet.

How to Locate Articles Module

This module begins with a discussion about the various types of journals owned by UE Libraries and indexed in online services. A hand-out describing the characteristics of the journals is distributed to students. Students then consult this hand-out to complete the Journal Checklist Exercise that asks them to identify the type of journal handed to them by the librarian. Next, a few students explain and justify their choices to the group. Depending on the subject area of the class, an online article database (or two) is selected and demonstrated to the students. Tips on how to maximize searches are given. Navigating the Web site and how to download articles are also explained. How to locate journal articles that are not available full text online is explored in conjunction with where periodicals are housed in the Libraries. A final exercise requires students to search the databases demonstrated in class and compare the results.

Internet Research Tools Module

This module focuses exclusively on using the Internet or World Wide Web for research purposes. The session begins with a brief history of Internet and an overview of how URLs are structured. Various search tools are fully explained, such as how a search engine like Google works compared to a subject directory like Yahoo!. Students are taught to evaluate Web sites using CAESAR (Currency, Authority, Effective use of time, Stability, Accuracy and Relevance) and how to properly cite them. A hands-on exercise using CAESAR to evaluate a Web page is distributed. Students discuss how they found the Web page they evaluated and why or why they would not use it for their research.

Lexis/Nexis Module

This hands-on module focuses exclusively on how to use Lexis.com, the Web site that searches the Lexis/Nexis databases. Logging into and out of Lexis.com is explained. Time is spent on various search features, especially how to select a specific content area. Two search styles are described and demonstrated. Printing and downloading articles are explained. The reminder of class is spent having students become familiar with Lexis.com, a time consuming process.

One-Shot, 50-Minute Library Lecture

The One-Shot, 50-Minute Library Lecture is a general lecture that gives a broad overview of ACE, the Libraries' catalog and an online article database. Library of Congress subject headings and classification system are introduced to students to help them understand how information is organized and made accessible at UE Libraries. During the demonstration of ACE, the difference between keyword and subject searching is explained. Basic functions of ACE are explained, as is logging into the system. Academic Search Premier, an online, partially full text, article database is demonstrated to the students. Tips on how to maximize searches are given. Navigating the Web site and how to download articles are also explained. How to locate journal articles that are not available full text online is explored in conjunction with where periodicals are housed in the Libraries.