Clever search strategies

The library databases are an excellent source of information when you are writing an assignment. Our library databases are made up of hundreds of thousands of online journal articles.   At ITB, you can search the online databases using One Search (2nd search box); this allows you to search all of the databases at the same time.  When you search a library database, you are searching the words within those articles.

So, the search engine does the legwork.

You, however, need to do the thinking! While the search engine is very good at locating search terms within articles, it isn't particularly intuitive. The search engine relies on your search strategy to find results. Therefore, the better your search strategy, the more likely you are to retrieve relevant articles!

With this in mind, have a look at this video from Berry Memorial College Library - Boolean Operators: little words, big difference...


Boolean Operators from Emily G on Vimeo.

Finding scholarly information online

Are you looking for information for your assignments? When you find information on the internet, are you unsure whether or not you can use it in your assignments? Online information does not always go through the same formal editing processes as most printed information. So it's important that we learn how to evaluate online information ourselves!

So, have a look at this video, from Western Libraries, that talks you through the CRAPP test for evaluating online resources...

 

Referencing in 20 minutes!

Have you considered using RefWorks to gather the information sources you use in your work, or to generate your references and bibliographies?  It is a fantastic online tool, and these short videos make it easy to use!

Learn to use RefWorks in 20 minutes

• Introduction: learning to use RefWorks in 20 minutes
• Accessing RefWorks, creating an account and logging in
• Adding references to RefWorks using Direct Export
• Organising imported references into folders in RefWorks
• Searching for references in your RefWorks account using Quick Search
• Creating a bibliography instantly in RefWorks
• Using Write n Cite III to manage citations or create bibliographies in MS Word

RefWorks fundamentals
RefWorks advanced
RefShare: sharing your RefWorks references
RefWorks output style editor

Or, if you prefer, you can access ITB Library's guides to RefWorks.  They include local knowledge, such as how to import references from our databases!  http://www.issuu.com/itblibrary


Photo Credit: Kirsty Andrews via Compfight cc 

Making plans for the summer?

Are you planning what you will do this summer?  The library is running two research projects this June-July that might interest you!


(1) Library digitisation project:

 

ITB Library has approximately three hundred language cassette and videotapes which are obsolete. The majority of these items are still of value to teaching and learning. The project is to transfer the tapes to a CD or DVD format. This involves weeding the current collection, digitising the remaining tapes using specialist software, and updating the library catalogue.



(2) Devising a student-centred marketing plan for ITB Library:

The objective of the project is to devise a student-centered marketing plan for the library; this will enable the library to streamline communication channels, such as the library blog and Facebook page, so that they are timely, effective and helpful in the information distributed.  A research student, from the ITB student body, could offer a uniquely relevant perspective to this project. 


If either of these research projects catch your eye, then have a look at your student email for full details (of all 8 ITB research projects) and application instructions!



Photo Credit: Jisc via Compfight cc 

Photo Credit: Cohdra viaMorguefile

Library opening times

Early morning opening
In response to the increasing demand for earlier library opening during exams, this year the library will open at 8.15am from Tuesday 7th May until the end of the exams.

There will be no desk service until 9.15am, but students will be able to come, study and use the PCs.  The self checkout machine will also be operational.


Saturday opening
The library will also be open on Saturdays as follows:

 

Sat 11^th May - 9.30am to 3.30pm
Sat 18^th May - 9.30am to 3.30pm
Sat 25^th May - 9.30am to 3.30pm

Please remember to co-operate fully with all library staff and to have respect for the library's regulations and for each other in the run up to exams!

 

New books in the library!

There are lots of new books on the shelves this month.  Here are a few examples...

Business

• New venture creation: an innovator's guide to entrepreneurship
• Enterprise in action: an introduction to entrepreneurship in an Irish context
• Social enterprise in Ireland: a people's economy?
• Contemporary club management

Informatics

• The essential guide to Flash games: building interactive entertainment with ActionScript 3.0
• Object-oriented Actionscript 3.0
• Professional Papervision 3D
• The technique of film editing

Engineering

• Transforms in signals and systems
• Practical electronics handbook
• Lasting impressions: the history of the National Diploma in Tool Design at IT Sligo

Humanities

• Community developement in ireland: theory, policy practice
• The expanded family life cycle: individual, family, and social perspectives
• Groupwork in social care
• Not fair enough: making the case for reformation of the social welfare appeals system

Horticulture

• Growing broadleaves: silvicultural guidelines for ash, sycamore, wild cherry...
• The Hillier book of garden planning and planting

Are you working in a group this semester?

Working in groups can be a challenge! Although it may not always be the most efficient way to achieve a goal, group work has a range of other benefits that make it worthwhile:

• sharing the work load
• covering more of the topic
• seeing a topic from different perspectives
• observing how your peers learn
• learning to manage a project

So, a group project is unlikely to look like the work you do on your own!  Here are some tips for working with others...