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Reference

Credo Reference

Check out one of our finest online reference resources, Credo Reference. Encyclopedias, dictionaries and other reference books are great sources for reliable information. Reference books are a great way to familiarize yourself with a new topic. Credo Reference makes the process even easier as you can quickly search for relevant entries.

This online resource does a little of everything. Credo boasts a robust array of online reference sources. At your disposal are great reference sources such as the Encyclopedia of School Psychology, Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender, Encyclopedia of Emancipation and Abolition in the Transatlantic World, etc. These sources and more are at your searching fingertips. You can further break down your search by subject in the drop down menu next to the search box or browse the subject lists under the “Find a Book” link.

The Concept Map is a particularly useful tool for visualizing the topic of your research. The tool graphically displays your central topic and related terms in an interconnected map. Scrolling over related terms connects you to articles and further information through a pop up window. Try searching your term in the Concept Map interface to narrow or expand on your topic.

Under the “Gadgets” link an assortment of tools are available. You can convert measurements like imperial pints to other volumes or you can convert fuel consumption. If you’re having trouble spelling a word you can use the “Crossword search,” using “?” in place of letters, especially useful for crossword puzzle addicts. Other gadget searches include; persons, holidays, quotations, places and definitions.


Premier Searching in Academia

Ever wonder where to start? Need scholarly information for your paper, that your professor will accept? Need more than just the World Wide Web? Academic Search Premier (ASP), under our Find Articles and E-Books drop down menu, offers a great solution to all these questions and more. ASP offers a wide range of sources on an equally broad base of subjects, from accident analysis to zoology.

Simply try entering your topic into the search box or try some of the more advanced features. Some of the advanced searching features include “Subject Terms,” “Images,” limiting by publication date and type and an “Index” search function. If you need peer reviewed articles make sure to check off the “Scholarly (peer reviewed) Journal” selection under the search box. And if you need the article right away select the “Full Text” option. Don’t be afraid to experiment and play with all the buttons.

Academic Search Premier is a great starting point for your research. If you have any questions stop by or call (617-879-2222) the Library for further information or help with your research.


Your Secret Weapon: a Librarian


Getting help from a librarian is a smart way to combat the stress of the end-of-semester project pileup. Here’s why it’s worth considering..

  • We have experience with the kinds of research and assignments you have to do and are familiar with the tools and sources that you need. We aren’t starting from scratch every time, which can save you time and aggravation.

  • They aren’t our projects so we aren’t freaking out about them. We can be calm and help you keep things in perspective.

  • We like to do research and we like to help! That’s why we work here, that’s what we are trained to do. We love this stuff so you don’t have to!

We were pleased to learn that others agree with us. Check out the “Campus Overload” blog of the Washington Post, to see three more reasons to consider librarians as a “secret weapon” to tackle assignment stress.

Not sure how to find a librarian? Stop by the beautiful new first floor of the Library building, just 20 feet from the Campus Center. The service desk is right by the door, so it’s easy to find someone to help. Or try this link to find half a dozen other ways to get in touch with us.


Librarian by Day, Gamer by Night

Introducing…

Adam Williams

Instruction/Reference Librarian

Email: awilliams@wheelock.edu

Phone: 617-879-2279

By Day:

My official title at Wheelock Library is Instruction and Reference Librarian. Simply put, I help students with research. I and my staff provide research instruction to classes as well as in one-on-one sessions. We cover the range of the research process, from topic building and search strategies to crediting sources.

I welcome students to take advantage of the individualized research sessions. Every research topic is unique and the individualized service allows reference to tailor strategies to each unique research question. In most cases, students walk away from individualized instruction with most of the articles or other resources necessary to complete their assignment.

By Night:

One of my all time, favorite books is on the shelf at Wheelock Library, A Wizard of Earth Sea by Ursula K. Le Guin (J L525w ). In general I enjoy a good fantasy or science fiction novel, especially titles heavy in politics and intrigue. That probably explains my interest in board games such as Settlers of Catan and Go. I also frequent Jamaica Plain Comics to play strategy games along with fellow game enthusiasts.

If you would like to drop by, you can find my office on 1M or at the front desk of the Library. Or feel free to contact me at my information above.


What’s Going on in the World?

We’ve all had our eyes and ears peeled to the news this fall, with the economic crisis and presidential election all taking place. Where does one go to find a pulse of what is going on in our country, let alone the world?

http://www.newseum.org/


- You can search by country or continent

- Look back through archived pages for momentous events (categorized by general topic)

Example: Red Sox win the World Series


- You can see front pages from around the world:

O Globo, published in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil