Find the Information You Need

To write a paper or create a presentation, you need to track down information. Where should you start? Try the library. Although the Internet may make libraries seem outdated, they’re hugely valuable: Not only do they contain countless resources, including many electronic ones, but they also have staff who can answer questions and help you find what you need. If you haven’t gone to the campus library yet, add a visit to your to-do list this term.

ACTIVITY: Many college libraries provide tours both in person and virtually. As a homework assignment, ask students to take one of these tours and write a one-page paper about what they’ve learned, including how they can use the library this term. As an alternative, tour the library together as a class.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to be in the library to take advantage of its resources. Whether you’re sitting in the library itself, at your desk, or at your kitchen table, you can access the library’s Web site. From there, you can explore a wealth of physical and electronic resources you’ll need to write papers and complete assignments, including the following:

ACTIVITY: Divide the class into groups and assign a specific topic to each group. Have each student locate a journal article related to the group’s assigned topic. When the class meets next, select two students from each group at random and have each of them share a one-minute synopsis of their respective articles.

Cite: To give another author credit when you include his or her ideas in your paper or project.

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CONNECT

TO MY CAREER

To learn more about a career that interests you, find and read one article in a peer-reviewed journal or professional magazine related to this career. (For example, a geology major might read the Journal of Geophysical Research.) What was most intriguing about the article you chose?

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Information Treasure Trove. Libraries are great places to find the information you need to write a paper or craft a presentation. Not only are they packed with books, journals, magazines, newspapers, and online tools for tracking down an array of sources, but they also have librarians who are trained to help you find information. So visit your library today.
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