Discusses the importance of books for various disciplines.

1. All About Books

2. Differences in the Academic World
A scholarly book can put your
research in perspective.
Books provide information
that is more in-depth than
journal articles do.
In certain academic research
books are the main way
scholars communicate.

3. Sciences vs. Humanities
In the sciences (astronomy, physics, medicine, health, etc.) scholarly
communication largely takes place in peer-reviewed journals. That’s
because scientific information changes rapidly.
Yesterday’s science fact may be outdated by today’s research.
In the humanities (history, philosophy, theology,
the fine and performing arts) scholarly
communication largely takes place in books.
That’s because new information needs to be
placed in context of a history of ideas.
The humanities’ scholars take a broader view in
their research.

4. Old is Gold
Many old books are
primary resources
providing insight into the
times when they were
written.
Even in the sciences, old
books remain important.
Darwin’s The Origin of
Species or the works of
Sigmund Freud are still
studied today.

5. Newer the Better
In the sciences information changes quickly.
Science books may be outdated in a very short time.

6. Locating Books
Again, you’re in luck.
Since you are a college
student books can be
obtained in and through
your campus library.

7. Start with the Library’s Catalog
First connect to the
catalog through the
library's website.
Then use the Search
form to find books in
the Library.

8. The Physical Book
From the results list locate the
books you want to use.
The call numbers act as an address
for the book’s location on the
shelf.

9. Electronic Books
Your library has access to millions
of books through their databases
and other online resources.
Look for links to
• eBrary
• EBSCOhost eBooks
• EBSCOhost PsycBooks
• NCBI Bookshelf
• Internet Archive
• Google Books

10. Books Delivered to Your Library
Services line EZ-Borrow allow
you to obtain books from some
the largest university libraries
in the world.
Use a simple search form and
then select your book from
thousands of titles.
Texts usually arrive within 4 to
5 days.

11. Go to Where the Book Lives
Worldcat.org searches book
records from thousands of
libraries.
Choose the book of interest,
the record reveals libraries
that have the book based on
your zip code.

12. Between the Covers
Scholarly books offer
additional information.
Look at footnotes, author’s
notes and bibliographies. The
writer’s references can lead
you to additional resources
you might have miss.
Scholarly authors are experts
in their field. The resources
they used may be very
important to your research.

13. Yes, we still need books?
Books, physical and electronic, in all
scholarly disciplines still play an
important role in the academic world.
They are a source of information
unparalleled in their depth and
perspective.
Books come in many formats today.
But, the content within a book is very
much a part of the college research.

14. Next we’ll look the begin to put this altogether
by evaluating your research findings.