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From the library webpage http://www.dbq.edu/library, enter your search in the "Find Books and Media" box. Use words or very short phrases related to your topic to search. Try various combinations of keywords. Click on the title of any book to get more information.
Tip: When searching, the more words you search at once, the fewer results you will get.
Watch two Video tutorials on the library catalog:
Once you have a broad topic, it is a good idea to start with an encyclopedia or reference tool to get some background information. There are three good online tools available from the library webpage http://www.dbq.edu/library. Under the “Find books and media” box there are links to “Credo” and “Oxford Reference Online”. Click on the “Other reference sources” to find “Britannica Online”.
Websites usually don't go through any type of review (unlike books or journal articles). So it is up to you to evaluate them. Consider the following questions before using a website in your paper:
- Is an author listed? What if any credentials (Ph.D., memberships) do they have? (Search the internet for the person to find out more)
- Is there an organization associated with the page? If so, what is the mission?
- Is there a date provided on the page? Is the content up-to-date if that is important for your topic?
- Is the site intended for general readers, students, professionals, or scholars/researchers?
- Is the site trying to sell (.com), persuade (.org), educate (.edu), or inform (.gov)?
- Is the site biased or does it present a balanced view of the topic?
- Is there a background/"About Us" link?
- Do the links work? (a sign of a well-maintained page)
- Are there sources listed for the information that appears?
Stop by the reference desk (near the 1st floor photocopiers). Librarians or trained paraprofessionals are ready to answer your questions Monday through Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm and 6:00-11:00pm, Fridays 8:00am-3:00 pm, and Sundays 6:00pm-11:00pm.
During the same hours, you may also call the reference desk at (563) 589-3770 or IM us (AIM, Yahoo Messenger, or Meebo) at screenname udreference. Email us anytime at reference@dbq.edu. You may also contact any individual librarian directly.
Remember, there are no stupid questions in the library! We're here to help. We can help you find or narrow your topic, find sources, evaluate your sources, and work with citation styles.
If you need help wording your research question, making your outline, or proofreading your paper stop by the Writing Center, inside the Academic Support Center, located on the 2nd floor of the library. Help with papers is available from professional and peer tutors. No appointment is necessary. And it's FREE!
Hours: Monday through Thursday 9am-9pm; Friday 9am-5pm
Stop in or call the ASC front desk: 589-3262.
The library websites has several databases where you can search for articles.
A good general database to start with is Academic Search Premier. From the library webpage www.dbq.edu/library enter your search terms into the “Find articles” box.
You can also find more specalized databases by “subject” or “Title” from the links under the “Find Articles” box. Search using any keywords or short phrases related to your topic.
Tip: Remember that you don't need to use small words like a, an, the, and of. Use only the important words. More words = fewer results.
Need help choosing a database or searching? Ask a librarian!
| |
Magazine | Scholarly/Academic Journal |
| Audience | General audience/public | Professors, scholars/researchers, students |
| Author | Usually journalists | Professors, scholars/researchers, experts |
| Purpose | To inform reader | To inform reader, to disseminate and advance scholarly research |
| Content | News or opinion articles, essays, photos | Articles with research results, data, tables/charts |
| Review | Reviewed by editor for content, grammar | Reviewed by a panel of the author's peers to ensure quality content & methods |
Within a database, such as Academic Search Premier, some articles may not be in full-text (available for printing/emailing/saving). If this is the case, click on the link that says "Find It."
If the article is not available in another database or in print, click on "Get this item." Log in with your UD network ID and password, and follow the instructions. When the article is available, you will be emailed a link to login and see the article.
View the videos for Academic Search Premier:
Video tutorial: Academic Search Premier Basics (4:40 min)
Video tutorial: Using text-to-speech feature in EBSCO databases (1:29 min)
Video tutorial: Academic Search Premier extras (4:45 min)
Contact the reference desk or your department’s librarian liaison (http://www.dbq.edu/library/LibLiaisons.cfm ) in advance.
Room reservations should be directed to the office of campus scheduling. The online form is at http://intranet.dbq.edu/eventregistration.cfm.
For library instruction, contact your department’s librarian directly
Charles C. Myers Library will mail books and media owned by UD to distance education students. Periodicals, reference materials, and materials on reserve for a course do not circulate.
How do I request a UD book to be mailed to me?
Search the library catalog (www.dbq.edu/library under Find Books) using keyword(s) or a known title or author. Choose the title to see more information about an item of interest.
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Review the information provided (subjects, summary, table of contents, etc.). Be sure the location shows Charles C. Myers Library and the item is not in Reference, Reserves, or Special Collections (these items do not circulate). If you would like the item mailed to you, choose Request Item as shown below.
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Enter your UD ID#, which may be found on the front of your student ID card (usually 4 or 5 digits). Choose Login.
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Your hold queue position shows your place in the request line. For Select a Location to pick up the material, choose UD Mail (Distance Education) as shown below. Choose Request.
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A message will indicate that your request was placed, and the item will be mailed to you.
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Can I request that a Wartburg book be mailed to me?
No. If Reu Memorial Library at WTS has a book that you would like, request it through Interlibrary Loan via your public library. Be sure to check the Location in each item’s library catalog record before requesting items to be mailed.
How long is the checkout period for UD materials mailed to me?
The checkout period is 4 weeks (including mailing time).
May I renew items?
Yes. Material may be renewed twice if it is not needed by another person or for reserve.
How do I renew materials online?
In the library catalog, choose My Account.
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Enter your student ID # when prompted. Select Items Out.
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Use the check boxes next to each item to mark any you wish to renew. Choose Renew. The new due date will reflect the renewal.
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Is it getting something from UD faster or cheaper than Interlibrary Loan at my public library?
It depends. If you request UD materials to be mailed to you, keep the mailing time in mind. If you need something right away, your public library can get it from a location closer to you than Dubuque. If UD mails you materials, you must pay for return postage, which may be more than what your public library charges for Interlibrary Loan (if they do charge).
How do I mail back materials I borrow from UD?
Simply reuse the same envelope or box. A mailing label will be provided for you. Mail the item(s) back to UD using your preferred postal/package service. You are responsible for the cost of return postage.
Use the following directions to request the information. This service is only for Distance Education Students.
http://www.dbq.edu/library/CollectionsPDF/documentdelivery.pdf
Use these instructions to see what library material you have checked out or on hold.
The University of Dubuque does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, handicap/disability, or age.
Persons having inquiries may contact the Director of Human Resources, University of Dubuque, 2000 University Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001-5099.
Phone 563-589-3000
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