Lake Land College Library Tim Schreiber Information Services Librarian

Reference Desk Phone:

Types of Information Available in the Library

Sources of Information Reference Materials Reference Materials Books Books Periodicals Periodicals World Wide Web World Wide Web

Examples of Reference Materials Encyclopedias Encyclopedias Dictionaries Dictionaries Atlases & Maps Atlases & Maps Directories Directories Handbooks & Manuals Handbooks & Manuals

Reference Materials Strengths Quick facts from authoritative source Quick facts from authoritative source Statistics Statistics Good for getting overviews or background info Good for getting overviews or background infoWeaknesses Good starting point, but you will need other types of sources for in-depth information Good starting point, but you will need other types of sources for in-depth information

Books (non-fiction) Strengths Space available for lengthy arguments and detail Space available for lengthy arguments and detail Editors and fact- checkers Editors and fact- checkers Example: The Mold in Dr. Florey’s Coat: The Story of the Penicillin Miracle Example: The Mold in Dr. Florey’s Coat: The Story of the Penicillin MiracleWeaknesses Not always the most up-to-date resource. Not always the most up-to-date resource. More difficult to search for specific information. More difficult to search for specific information.

Periodicals Newspapers, Magazines, Journals Strengths Information is more current. Information is more current. Editors and fact- checkers Editors and fact- checkers Easier to find things; full-text searches Easier to find things; full-text searches Weaknesses Not enough space for extensive treatment of single subject. Not enough space for extensive treatment of single subject. Academic articles may be too technical or specific. Academic articles may be too technical or specific.

Types of Periodicals Types of Periodicals Journals vs. Newspapers & Magazines What’s the difference? Who writes them? Who reads them? What is their purpose? How often are they published?

Journals Considered a “scholarly” or “academic” source. Considered a “scholarly” or “academic” source. Purpose is to make original research available. Purpose is to make original research available. Authors are scholars and researchers. Authors are scholars and researchers. Aimed at a small audience of other scholars and researchers. Aimed at a small audience of other scholars and researchers. Refereed process; peer-review Refereed process; peer-review Usually published monthly or quarterly Usually published monthly or quarterly Examples: New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Special Education Examples: New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Special Education

Magazines & Newspapers Purpose is to provide general information or entertain. Purpose is to provide general information or entertain. Authors are writers or journalists. Authors are writers or journalists. Aimed at the general public. Aimed at the general public. Many pictures, graphics & ads. Many pictures, graphics & ads. Published daily, weekly, or monthly Published daily, weekly, or monthly No peer-review process (but use editors) No peer-review process (but use editors) Examples: Rolling Stone, Newsweek, New York Times Examples: Rolling Stone, Newsweek, New York Times

World Wide Web (“The Web”) Strengths Many different points of view. Many different points of view. Many different formats (text, images, audio, video.) Many different formats (text, images, audio, video.) Can be very up-to- date. Can be very up-to- date.Weaknesses Not organized, can be hard to find stuff. Not organized, can be hard to find stuff. Anyone can say anything, even wrong or misleading information. Anyone can say anything, even wrong or misleading information.

Evaluating Information Accuracy Accuracy Editors or fact-checkers? Consistent with other sources? Lots of typos or grammatical errors? Editors or fact-checkers? Consistent with other sources? Lots of typos or grammatical errors? Authority Authority Who wrote it? What are their credentials? Who wrote it? What are their credentials? Purpose Purpose To inform? Persuade? Sell? Entertain? Who is the audience? To inform? Persuade? Sell? Entertain? Who is the audience? Objectivity Objectivity Facts or opinions? Sponsored by a special-interest group? Easy answers (propaganda) or hard questions? Facts or opinions? Sponsored by a special-interest group? Easy answers (propaganda) or hard questions? Currency Currency How old is the information? Include new developments? How old is the information? Include new developments?

How To Find Information in the Library

Library Search Tools To Find… Use… Books Library Catalogs Reference Info Catalogs or Reference Databases Articles from Periodicals Article Databases

Library Catalogs Catalogs tell you what materials (Books, AV items, etc.) are in the library and where to find them. Catalogs tell you what materials (Books, AV items, etc.) are in the library and where to find them. Our catalog is called LINC. It is an online catalog, so you can use it from any computer with an internet connection. Our catalog is called LINC. It is an online catalog, so you can use it from any computer with an internet connection. LINC is a system-wide catalog, which allows you to order items from 80+ other libraries in the Lincoln Trail Libraries System. LINC is a system-wide catalog, which allows you to order items from 80+ other libraries in the Lincoln Trail Libraries System. From our website, you can also search other catalogs such as Illinet and WorldCat. From our website, you can also search other catalogs such as Illinet and WorldCat.

Library Databases An online resource that contains articles and information taken from print sources such as magazines, newspapers, journals, and reference books. An online resource that contains articles and information taken from print sources such as magazines, newspapers, journals, and reference books. These are not “internet sources” or free web pages that you will find using Google or Yahoo. Articles come from published sources. These are not “internet sources” or free web pages that you will find using Google or Yahoo. Articles come from published sources. Available on the web, but part of our library’s collection. Must go through our library’s website (and login if from home.) Available on the web, but part of our library’s collection. Must go through our library’s website (and login if from home.)

Types of Library Databases Types of Library Databases Article Databases enable you to search through thousands of different magazines, journals and newspapers to find articles on a particular topic. Article Databases enable you to search through thousands of different magazines, journals and newspapers to find articles on a particular topic. Reference Databases provide access to online versions of reference books (encyclopedias, dictionaries, etc.) Usually more subject-specific. Reference Databases provide access to online versions of reference books (encyclopedias, dictionaries, etc.) Usually more subject-specific.

Need Help? Need Help? Ask at the Reference Desk! Phone: