What is TOPCAT?
TOPCAT is our library catalog. You can search here for books, magazines, course reserves, DVDs, textbooks, and other items that we hold in our physical collection (i.e. things you can come pull off the shelf and check out). We also have may ebooks in TOPCAT.
TIPS:
What is Ebook Central?
This is our main ebook vendor and you'll find over 140,000 ebooks across all different disciplines here. You can download ebooks or view them online, and they're all keyword searchable. Ebook Central is user friendly and easy to navigate.
TIPS:
Search Opposing Viewpoints
What is Opposing Viewpoints?
Ever been in class, talking to friends, or scrolling through the news and come across a heated debate on a topic that you don't know that much about? Opposing Viewpoints is a great place to start. It takes controversial topics and highlights the main points, then pulls relevant articles, statistics, news, and more that work as good examples of both sides of the argument.
Tips:
Search Google Scholar
Why use Google Scholar?
Google Scholar takes some of the guesswork out of your research. Instead of wondering if the article you're reading is scholarly or comes from a reputable source, Google Scholar makes sure of it. You still have to do some legwork, but the quality of the information you have to work with is much higher. This is a great place to start academic research when your instructor says you need to find scholarly articles.
Tips:
Your library liaison is: Sara Shutkin
To find more information and scholarly articles about "Mindfulness Strategies," do searches on Google Scholar, Opposing Viewpoints, or Academic Search Premier. You can access these databases via the Databases A ot Z list.
Here is a link to it: https://libguides.alverno.edu/az.php
To get started finding information, try some of these topics in your search. There are many more; a librarian can help you.
BRAIN: Using Your Brain to Evaluate Information (from Shasta College)
http://libguides.shastacollege.edu/brain
Your library liaison is: Sara Shutkin
Use this handout to determine if an article is considered scholarly: Is it a scholarly article or isn’t it?
To find more information and scholarly articles about "Mindfulness Strategies," do searches on Google Scholar, Opposing Viewpoints, Academic Search Premier, or GenderWatch. You can access these databases via the Databases A ot Z list.
Here is a link to it: https://libguides.alverno.edu/az.php
To get started finding information, try some of these topics in your search. There are many more; a librarian can help you.
Some Additional Recommended Sources
Web Pages
Distinguished Women of Past and Present
This site has biographies of women who contributed to our culture in many different ways. There are writers, educators, scientists, heads of state, politicians, civil rights crusaders, artists, entertainers, and others.
National Women's Hall of Fame
Use the menu at the top to find a link to Women of the Hall. You can use this link to search by name, date, or achievement to find biographies of inductees.
Fast Company: Strong Female Lead
You can browse this page to find articles about women leaders in many different industries.
Center for American Women and Politics
The Center for American Women and Politics is a leading source of research on women and politics. Use the Research and Scholarship links to find reports.
Lean In
This organization, founded by Sheryl Sandberg and Dave Goldberg, is dedicated to women's issues and empowering women.
Books
Citing Sources
The library has a comprehensive Citation Guide to help you accurately cite your sources.
More information on citing sources is on the right side of the main FSS guide.
Use this guide to find resources for forensic science in popular culture. Your library liaison is Dolores Skowronek
Dolores Skowronek
Questions? Please contact me...
dolores.skowronek@alverno.edu
(414) 382-6184
There are a handful of authors who write fiction books portraying forensic scientists in action. Here is a partial list of authors and books provided by Good Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/forensic-fiction
The Alverno Library has a small selection of fictional books and graphic novels featuring forensic science. But, public libraries typically have larger collections of fiction books. For example, the Milwaukee County public libraries offer a wide selection of books and other resources for its residents. Here is more information on obtaining a Milwaukee County public library card: https://countycat.mcfls.org/help#
For students who have a Milwaukee County public library card, search CountyCat to find books available for checkout: https://countycat.mcfls.org/
Scroll to view a sampling of fiction books that you can check out from the Alverno Library. Click the image for more information.
Scroll to view a sampling of non-fiction books that you can check out from the Alverno Library. Click the image for more information.
Or, try a search in TOPCAT. Any of these search terms will get you started: Forensic Science, Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Anthropology, Criminal Investigation, Crime Laboratories, DNA Data Banks, Genetic Privacy, Forensic Genetics.
Scroll to view a sampling of non-fiction ebooks available through the Alverno Library. Click the image for more information.
Or, try a search in Ebook Central. This video will help you get started with ebooks. Here are some suggested search terms: Forensic Science, Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Anthropology, Criminal Investigation, Crime Laboratories, DNA Data Banks, Genetic Privacy, Forensic Genetics.
So, you want to dig deeper into your topic? A good strategy is to start with databases like Academic Search Premier - which is found on the Alverno Library's Databases A to Z page. Another good choice is the Alverno Library's Google Scholar search tool.
When searching, it is always a good idea to try different search words and phrases. Think of synonyms and alternate spellings. If one search term isn't working - try again with another. Here are some suggestions to get you started.... Can you think of others?
Use this guide to find resources for tough topics in children's literature. Your library liaison is Dolores Skowronek
We'll start by using a variety of resources that are available through the library.
Academic Databases are good for finding scholarly journal articles, book reviews, and sometimes news stories. (You will find a complete database list here). Google and Wikipedia can quickly lead you astray, but we know you'll use them... so consider using the library's Source Evaluation Guide for tips on evaluating the information that you find on the "free web".
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Answering some questions...
What were concentration camps like?
Why were people rioting in Cuba in the 1990s?
What did Aleppo look like before the war? What happened to the Syrian refugees?
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Books are constantly being challenged by people who believe that the books (or the ideas within the books) are offensive, dangerous, unsavory, or obscene.
Banned Books Week celebrates these books and pushes back against what the American Library Association, booksellers, educators, and others view as censorship and a challenge to our freedom of speech.
Some useful links on banned & challenged books:
Starting the discussion about books...
Teaching Books has background information, discussion questions, author interviews, and additional resources for children's and young adult books.
See what they have on Refugee.
Click an image to view information on these banned or challenged books found in the Alverno Library.
Your library liaison is: Ben Teel
Some terms to try:
We sort our database alphabetically and by subject
which are like Wikipedia pages written by librarians
https://libguides.alverno.edu/earthday2016/vegan
What can I recycle?
Use the resources in this tab for your class assignment. Your library liaison is Larry Duerr
The following E-Books are great places to start researching a topic:
Use this handout to determine if an article is considered scholarly: Is it a scholarly article or isn’t it?
To find more information and scholarly articles about "Love & Gender," do searches on Google Scholar, Academic Search Premier, Gender Watch, or Opposing Viewpoints. To find film reviews do searches on Academic Search Premier or in the New York Times. You can access these databases via the Databases A ot Z list.
Here is a link to it: https://libguides.alverno.edu/az.php
Also there is a special LibGuide to help you access the New York Times. Here is a link to it: https://libguides.alverno.edu/nytimes
To get started finding information, try some of these topics in your search. There are many more; a librarian can help you.
BRAIN: Using Your Brain to Evaluate Information (from Shasta College)
http://libguides.shastacollege.edu/brain
Use the resources in this tab for your class assignment. Your library liaison is Larry Duerr
Use these e-books and print books to find information on investing:
When starting out, be aware of Wikipedia's strengths and weaknesses:
Website research: be extra critical of credibility and authorship!
Other helpful resources:
Forvo.com - A multilingual, user-submitted, pronunciation audio dictionary.
Story Map - "Maps that tell stories."
Historypin - "Historypin is a place for people to share photos and stories, telling the histories of their local communities."
Your library liaison is: Sara Shutkin
Need more help? Send us a question: library@alverno.edu
Log in from off campus using your Alverno network username and password. Click here for more information on off campus access.
Looking for APA resources? Try the Citing Sources Guide.
These handouts will also get you started in the right direction:
Formatting a Book Citation
Formatting a Journal Article Citation
Formatting a Webpage Citation-Individual Authors
Formatting a Webpage Citation-Group Author
Or, click here to view APA videos.
-Stop in for 1-on-1 help. Hours, Staff Directory & Location
-Call the reference desk at (414) 382-6062
-Library Home Page