Doing some background reading first (encyclopedias or other overviews) will help you be a more effective searcher by giving you more and better terms/words to use when you search.

Every library catalog and database has a different interface.  Take a few minutes to examine the page to see how it is set up, what is being searched, and your options for searching.  Most of the time, the Advanced Search tab will give you more useful searching options than the basic Search box.  Every library catalog and database has some kind of Help menu, so don’t forget to use it if you’re having trouble or if you’re not getting the results you expected.

Doing a Subject search in a library catalog often gives you better and more accurate results than a Keyword search.  Use the Browse feature when doing a Subject search to generate an alphabetical list of subject headings.  This technique can help you quickly find books and other resources that closely match your topic.

In addition to the resources available in the Res Library, there are many excellent libraries in the Chicago area.  Only a few are listed below.  See the Res Library staff for other possibilities.  Most will allow anyone in-library use of their print materials and online databases.  Many public libraries have reciprocal borrowing agreements with other public libraries.  And don’t forget Interlibrary Loan services – books and articles can be sent directly to your local public library for your use.

Public Libraries  

• Chicago Public Library  (http://www.chipublib.org)
• Niles Public Library  (http://www.nileslibrary.org)
• Park Ridge Public Library  (http://www.parkridgelibrary.org)
• Eisenhower Public Library District  (http://www.eisenhowerlibrary.org)
  

College and University Libraries

• Dominican University  (http://domweb.dom.edu/library/crown/)
• DePaul University  (http://library.depaul.edu)
• Northeastern Illinois University  (http://library.neiu.edu)
• Oakton Community College  (http://www.oakton.edu/resource/libmedia/library/index.htm)
• Wilbur Wright College  (http://wright.ccc.edu/library/index.asp)
  
Special Libraries in Chicago  

• Newberry Library  (http://www.newberry.org)
• Resurrection Medical Center Library  (http://www.reshealth.org)
• Brookfield Zoo Library  (http://www.brookfieldzoo.org)
• Morton Arboretum, Sterling Morton Library  (http://www.mortonarb.org/main.taf?p=2,5)
• Chicago Botanic Garden, Lenhardt Library  (http://www.chicagobotanic.org/library/index.php)
• Argonne National Laboratory  (http://www.library.anl.gov)
• Chicago History Museum  (http://www.chicagohistory.org/research/)

Doing some background reading first will help you be a more effective searcher by giving you more and better terms/words to use when you search.

It’s easy to get lost in the piles of notes and printouts when you are in the midst of a research project.  At times it might be helpful to stop and take a look at where you are, where you are headed, what you have to support your project, and what you still need.