Conducting Library Research

Libraries remain one of the best resources for researching your speech. Despite the Internet’s increasing popularity as a research tool, the library still offers convenient access to the broadest range of credible sources. In addition, libraries allow you access to strong evidence and credible sources that are not available on Web sites. And last but not least, no search engine has been able to match the experience and expertise of professional librarians in guiding you to the best material on your topic.

Libraries house a wealth of information sources, including books, periodicals, newspapers, reference works, and government documents, along with powerful digital resources and databases that you might not be able to access otherwise. For students who are new to college, the sheer size of the library can be challenging. In one study, college freshmen encountered libraries with collections averaging nine times the size of their high school library. There were differences in the arrangement of materials and the resources for finding articles.11 But as you gain experience and take advantage of the skills of the library staff, you can become a skilled library researcher.

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