1. Library Research in an Electronic Age
Jocelyn Berger & Beth Evans
Brooklyn College Library, CUNY

2. Library Research in an Electronic Age
Part I:
The Physical Library
and the Virtual Library

4. More Similar Than You May Think:
Both exist independently of the classroom space
Both supplement the work that goes on in the classroom
Both have extensive holdings in many disciplines
Both require learning special skills to negotiate

5. Library Research in an Electronic Age
Part I I
Meeting Faculty
and Student Needs

6. The profiles:
Faculty
Students

7. Faculty Profile: Have clear research goals
Have other research material already available
Have greater mobility and support for obtaining material not at college library
Have interlibrary loan privileges at college library

8. Student Profile: May not be clear about their research goals
Have limited other research material already available
May not have mobility and support for obtaining research material not available at the college library
Do not have access to interlibrary loan at the college library

9. The needs:
Faculty
Students

10. Faculty need: Specific Research Monographs Research Articles
Subject Specialized Indexes to Current and Past Research
Table of Contents Listings
Citation Indexes

11. Students need: Introductory Information on Multiple Topics
Information Written in Lay-person Language
News About Research
Multi-Disciplinary Indexes

12. Library Research in an Electronic Age
Part III
Print Vs. Electronic Sources

13. Print Sources Books Journal Articles Government Documents
Ready-Reference Materials- This includes directories, encyclopedias, atlases, almanacs, yearbooks, and handbooks, etc.

14. Finding Print Sources Consulting a Librarian Indexes Library Catalog
‘References Cited’ lists or Bibliographies of other published works.

15. Evaluating Print Sources
Accuracy
Authority
Currency
Scope

16. Electronic Sources
CD-ROMS
Internet
Internet - Fee-Based

17. CD-ROMS America: History & Life Biography and Genealogy Index
Books in Print
Disclosure
Econlit
ERIC
Film Index Int’l
Health Reference Center
Infotrac
Medline
MLA International Bibliography
The New York Times
PSYCHLIT

18. Internet Sources
Commercial Web Pages - Search Engines, Online Newspapers and Journals, Hoovers.
Education Web Pages - VirtualCore Pages
Government Web Pages -
Personal Web Pages

19. Internet Sources - Fee-Based
Presented on the Internet, but users are charged for access to the service.
Possible Features: Availability of full-text, delivery of documents, use of a password allowing for access from any Internet computer.
Examples: Academic ASAP, Encyclopedia Britannica, FirstSearch, and Lexis-Nexis.

20. Evaluation of Electronic Sources
Accuracy
Authority
Currency
Scope

21. When to Use Print Sources
When desired information is easier to find in print format.
When desired information is not available in electronic format.

22. When to Use Electronic Sources
When desired information is easier to find using electronic sources.
When desired information changes frequently - i.e. latest scientific research, stock prices, technology-related issues, and weather forecasts.

23. Faculty assisting students:
Know what types of resources both the physical and virtual libraries have to offer
Bring classes in to the college library for course-aligned instruction for using the physical and virtual libraries
Come in and speak with a subject bibliographer
Provide clear guidelines for appropriate resources for particular research assignments
Emphasis for students that quality, ease-of-use and trustworthiness of resources will vary

24. Visit the Brooklyn College Library Home Page:
academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/library/bclib.htm