This document provides an overview of research tools and assistance available from the Mary J. Booth Library at EIU. It lists the various resources offered, including over 100 online databases, millions of books/e-books/media, and research guides. It outlines steps for successful research, such as determining information needs, identifying appropriate tools, developing search terms, and searching in an iterative process while revising searches based on results. The document also provides examples of questions students can ask librarians for help at the reference desk or via email.

2. Welcome!
Steve Brantley jsbrantley@eiu.edu
Mary J. Booth Library
http:// library.eiu.edu
booth.eiu.edu/ask

3. What kinds of research tools
are available?
100+ online databases
thousands of subscriptions
Million+ books, e-books CDs DVDs

4. Where do I start?
Start with a clear understanding of your assignment
Reference Librarians can help you identify credible sources
Begin with reference resources, print and online
The library catalog
Article databases
Research guides for specialized help

5. How to find books
Know the title or author?
Researching a topic
Keyword or subject?
What is the call number?
Map it!

6. I-Share
Your library account

7. Finding scholarly articles
What is a journal and how do we access them?
Why not just “Google it” ?
Subject databases, the right tool for the job.
Should I limit to “full text” only?
Get articles quickly through ILL (interlibrary loan)

8. Asking for help
Email your question or chat with a librarian using
“Ask a Librarian”: booth.eiu.edu/ask
Visit the Reference desk. We are there to help:

9. Asking for help
Sample questions:
“Excuse me, I need to find books and journals for my
research assignment can you help me?”
“Hello, I’m having trouble locating this article. Does the
library have it?”
“Excuse me, I found the call number for the book I need, can
you help me locate it in the library?”

10. Steps to successful
research*
1. Determine what kind of information do you need.
2. Identify the appropriate research tools to search for
information
3. What do you already know about your topic? Review a
few reference tools to learn more basic information.
4. Develop a set of terms that you will use in your search.

11. Steps to successful research
5. Apply those terms as keyword searches in the library
catalog (or article database).
6. Review your results and try different terms to find
more or better results.
7. Write down the title and call number of books you
want to retrieve. Set them aside. OR, save the article(s)
you find to review later.

12. Steps to successful research
8. Repeat steps 5-7 in another research tool such as a
general or subject specific article database.
These steps should be revised and repeated as many
times as necessary in a variety of research tools until
you feel you have enough information.

13. Questions to ask yourself as you
progress through these steps
Are there terms I wish to add to my set of keywords as I go
through the results of my search(es)?
Am I adapting my search strategy as I discover what works
well and what does not?
Does the information I find match what I hoped I would find?
If not, should I revise the scope or direction of my research?