This document provides an overview of resources and services available at the Merced College Library. It discusses evaluating information sources based on currency, relevance, authority and purpose. It outlines basic library resources like books, magazines, and newspapers. It also summarizes scholarly vs popular sources, primary vs secondary sources, and how to use the online catalog and databases. Library services like computers, printing, study rooms and hours of operation are also summarized.

1. Merced College Library

2. Getting Started with Research
Goals for this presentation:
 Students will be able to information in
various formats such as print and electronic
for specific uses.
 Students will be able to information
for its content, source, quality and relevance
in a variety of formats.

3. Basic Library Resources
 Books
 CDs and DVDs
 Magazines and journals
 Newspapers
 Vertical File materials

4. Evaluating
information
Based
on
Currency Relevance Authority Purpose

5. Currency-
 How current is the information?
 When was it published/posted?
 If it is a webpage, when was it revised?
 Are the links functional and up-to-date?

6. Relevancy
 Is the source relevant to the topic?
 Could you find the same or better information
from another source?
 Who is the intended audience?
 Is the information organized and in-depth?
 Is the source scholarly or popular?

7. Author
Authority
Educational
background
Professional or Personal
experience
Judged by
Depends on Depends on

8. Purpose/Objectivity
 Does the site seem biased?
 Is the main purpose advertising or
information?
 Is the purpose to inform, teach, entertain,
enlighten, sell, or persuade?
 Does the domain name give you a clue?
.com, .edu, .gov, .org, .net
 Is the source scholarly or popular in focus?

9. SCHOLARLY
OR
POPULAR?

10. Scholarly
Or
Popular?

12. Primary Sources
 A primary source is a document or physical
object which was written or created during
the time under study. Some types of primary
sources include: diaries, speeches,
manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film
footage, autobiographies, and official
records.

13. Examples of Primary Sources
Include:
 The Diary of Anne Frank
 The Constitution of the United States
 Supreme Court decisions and documents
 Historical photos or artifacts

14. What is a Secondary Source?
 A secondary source interprets and analyzes
primary sources.
 Secondary sources are one or more steps
removed from the event.
 Secondary sources may include pictures,
quotes, or graphics from primary sources.

15. Examples of Secondary Sources:
 Textbooks, magazine articles, histories,
criticisms, commentaries, and encyclopedias
 A journal/magazine article which interprets or
reviews previous findings
 A history textbook

16. Online Public Access Catalog
Search Screen
 Search by word or phrase, author, title,
subject .
 Write the number
down before you
go looking for it.

17. Online Resources through MC4Me
 Merced College MC4Me Log In Screen

18. In the web portal you have access
to many Library databases.

19. The next slide shows some of the
databases that are available in the
portal for your research.

23. Library services
 Computers are available to checkout for two
hours at a time on both floors. Printing is $.10 a
page using our $1.00 print cards. Wireless is available.
 Study rooms for groups up to 6 people can
be checked out on each floor. No food or
drink in study rooms. Room 201 for large groups can
be reserved in advance by contacting Dr. Walsh at 384 6082.
 Photocopies cost $.10 a page. We have copy
machines on both floors.
 Ask at the Information Desk if you need to use
scissors, a ruler, etc.

24. If you need further help, ask a Librarian!
We have chat, text, phone and in person service when the library is open.

25. Library hours
Mon. – Thurs. 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Remember –
Drinks with lids are ok,
Except in study rooms or by computers
No food
QUIET, PLEASE!