2. LeTourneau University--MEL
Library Resources and Services
1. Overview of Library Services
2. Overview of Search Strategies
3. Overview of Library Catalog
4. Whom do you call???
5. Overview of Online Databases
3. LeTourneau University--MEL
1. Library Services
Mission Statement
MEL exists to provide access to appropriate and well-
organized reference and research materials, both online and
in print, and services in support of the institution's academic
programs, both traditional and adult.
In so doing, MEL seeks to support the Educational Center
LRC in its mission to the Austin students, faculty, and staff.
4. LeTourneau University--MEL
1. Library Services
Objectives
To assist you with your information needs for course research.
To familiarize you with the basic features of libraries and library
research.
To guide you to the locations of the most popular reference tools
and collections available through MEL.
To teach you basic search strategies and short cuts.
To demonstrate the process of online / web based information
retrieval.
To help you formulate the best questions and terms for your topic.
To provide a Directory of Online Databases available through
MEL’s website and to provide a Directory of TexShare Libraries for
local print resources.
5. LeTourneau University
1. Library Services
TexShare Card privileges and responsibilities
TexShare Academic Libraries and Online Catalog links : [
http://www.texshare.edu/generalinfo/about/programs.html]
Austin Public Library
Austin Community College System libraries
UT library system [Perry-Castenada is the main research
library]
St. Edwards Scarborough-Phillips Library
Concordia Founders Library
6. LeTourneau University—MEL
2. Search Strategies
Academic Library: Materials focused in your area.
Ebscohost, LexisNexis, Xrefer, and NetLibrary
Austin Public Library: reference materials and TexShare
database access.
Special Libraries: corporations, government department
libraries, Texas State Library & Archives / Library of Texas
.
Interlibrary Loan – if you locate a book in an out-of-town
library or one in MEL and wish to check it out – contact
MEL [ library@letu.edu ].
Austin Educational Learning Resource Center – your local
support and first point of contact .
7. LeTourneau University--MEL
2. Search Strategies
Research tips
Define your search topic either as a question or a
sentence.
Determine how your topic should be selected –
reference tools, indexes, databases, journals, interviews.
Create a research plan. Clarify your purpose and
objective.
Familiarize yourself with the literature before you begin
to write.
Learn that the librarian is your friend.
Scan books & articles before you read to determine
qualification.
Take your lap top to the library to type in notes.
Buy End Notes to easily create the Bibliography.
8. LeTourneau University--MEL
2. Search Strategies
Research tools
Card Catalog: C2 for MEL, or online OPACS
Use bibliographies, indexes, and dissertations to find
leads.
Use Journal/Periodical indexes such as the Readers
Guide to Periodical Literature (FirstSearch – for
advanced research only)
Use Newspaper Indexes: Wall Street Journal
(LexisNexis General News).
Over 30 online databases, searchable altogether through
Central Search, one search interface!.
9. LeTourneau University
3. Library Catalog
[Public Library] [Academic Library]
DEWEY DECIMAL LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
000 General Works A General Works
B Philosophy
100 Philosophy C History - Auxiliary Sciences
D History and Topography
200 Religion E American History
F American History
300 Social Science G Geography - Anthropology
H Social Science
400 Languages J Science, Political
K Law
500 Pure Science L Education
M Music
600 Technology N Fine Arts
P Languages
700 Fine Arts Q Science
R Medicine
800 Literature S Agriculture
T Technology
900 History U Military Science
V Naval Science
Z Bibliography, Library Science
NOTE: The letters I, O, W, X and Y are intentionally omitted in the LC summary. These have been held back, or reserved,
to allow for expansion of the system.
10. LeTourneau University--MEL
3. Library Catalog
Most libraries now have online catalogs instead of print or
card catalogs. The idea is similar, but you must be a much
better speller to use the online catalog!
MEL’s C2 Online Card Catalogue: www.letu.edu/library
The University of Texas : http://www.lib.utexas.edu/
TexShare Libraries have online catalogs listed at
http://www.texshare.edu/generalinfo/about/programs.html
11. LeTourneau University--MEL
4. Whom do you call?
Austin Educational Center: Learning Resource Center
Open M–Th, 10:00AM – 10:00PM.
Murlene Watwood Email: murlenewatwoo@letu.edu
(Director of the Austin Educational Center)
Phone: (512) 419-9145
Main Library [MEL in Longview]
Henry Whitlow Email: henrywhitlow@letu.edu
(Director of the Margaret Estes Library)
Caroline Geer Email: carolinegeer@letu.edu
(Coordinator of Information Resources) Phone: (903)233‑3271
(800)388-5327 FAX: (903)233‑3263
Web Site: http://www.letu.edu/library/
12. LeTourneau University--MEL
5. Online Databases
Online Database access points
Off campus – http://letu.edu/library/
Ebscohost [Business]
User: offcampus / Password: gacs
FirstSearch [OCLC]
Authorization: 100201836 / Password: letour
Interlibrary loan-enabled site = order ILL
materials directly through FirstSearch
Facts on File http://www.2facts.com/
ID: letu / Password: fof
MergentOnline http://www.fisonline.com/
Username: austin / Password: letu
Password: letu
13. LeTourneau University—MEL
5. Online Databases
Online Database access points
Off campus – http://letu.edu/library/
Password info: use your LetNet account logon
Access to:
LexisNexis [Business, Legal, Medical full text articles]
PolicyFile [Chadwyck-Healey]
Archives U.S.A.[access to over 400 archival repositories]
Digital National Security Archives
Electric Library [articles, images, transcripts, maps]
LION [Literature Online]
College Source [catalogs of U.S. institutions]
NetLibrary [over 40,000 full text books] – create an account
14. LeTourneau University--MEL
5. Online Databases
Austin Educational Center Access
Login ID: austingeneric / Password: gen7ARM
• Archives U.S.A. — A database of over 400 archives nationwide with links to original
material online.
• College Source — All the college catalogs in North America.
• Central Search – Search all the databases in ONE search interface!
• Electric Library — Popular, ethnic, national and international, full-text magazines and
newspapers. A photo archive, maps, and radio and television transcripts also available.
Online dictionary available.
• LexisNexis® Academic Universe — a mega-database of full-text, national and
international magazine and newspaper articles. Divided into News, Business, Health, and
Reference databases. The Reference database includes business quotations, biographies,
country and state information, and the World Almanac.
• LION — A complete literature resource—fiction, non-fiction, drama, poetry—with author
biographies and literary criticism. Both primary and secondary texts online. Chat with an
author online!
• NetLibrary — Over 40,000 ebooks available in the shared library collection, and over
500 more in the LeTourneau University private collection, plus thousands of “free” books.
Browse the collections for 15 minutes—tables of contents, chapters, indexes.
Create a NetLibrary account from any LeTU-domain computer or call Caroline to
set it up.
Check out books for 24 hours at a time for reading or research.
Access NetLibrary from any computer with Web access world-wide.
American Heritage Dictionary embedded so you can look up words as you read!
• Xrefer – help with getting started, online citation styles, full text reference books!