Types of Resources

Streaming VidEOS and DVDs

What Information Sources Will I Find at the Library?

Books

Scholarly JournalS

Newspaper & Magazine Articles

Reference Works

The library's DVD and streaming collection, encompassing documentaries, performances, and feature films, offers valuable resources for academic research. These visual materials provide several benefits:

• Multimodal Learning: Videos enhance comprehension for visual and auditory learners.
• Primary Source Material: Documentaries and news clips provide firsthand accounts of events.
• Alternative Presentation: Visual media can simplify complex concepts through innovative presentations.
• Accessibility: Most videos feature closed captioning or subtitles, ensuring broad accessibility.
• Cultural Insights: Films and performances offer context on cultural, historical, and

social issues.

Reference works are specialized resources that provide concise, authoritative information on specific topics, including encyclopedias, dictionaries, and primary source collections. Key benefits include:

• Broad Coverage: They offer brief entries on a wide range of topics or focus on specific subjects.
• Topic Refinement: Reference works help narrow broad topics into manageable research questions.
• Quick Consultation: Designed for easy access, they provide succinct explanations of complex ideas.
• Foundational Knowledge: These resources serve as excellent starting points for research, offering essential context and information.
• Credibility: Compiled by experts, reference works ensure reliable and authoritative information.

Books are fundamental resources for academic research, offering several key benefits:

• In-Depth Coverage: Books provide detailed analysis and comprehensive background information on specific topics.

• Synthesis of Information: Authors gather and interpret information from various sources, presenting it in a cohesive manner.
• Quality Assurance: Librarians carefully select both physical and electronic books based on the credibility of the authors and the quality of the content.
• Bibliographic Resources: Many books include bibliographies and citations, which can lead you to additional relevant sources.
• Efficient Use: You don’t need to read an entire book to find valuable information; you can use the table of contents, index, and introduction to quickly locate the most relevant sections.

Scholarly journal articles are essential resources in academic research, serving as platforms for experts to publish their findings and contribute to the evolving discourse within their disciplines. These articles are characterized by:

• Peer Review: Many articles undergo rigorous evaluation by subject experts before publication, ensuring high-quality content.
• Credibility: The meticulous process of writing, reviewing, and publishing lends significant credibility to these sources.
• Specificity: Articles often focus on narrow topics, presenting original research or synthesizing existing studies.
• Evidence-Based: They provide robust evidence to support claims in research projects.
• Bibliographic Value: Articles include citations and references, serving as gateways to additional relevant sources.

Newspaper and magazine articles are valuable resources in academic research, offering unique perspectives on current events and issues. These sources are characterized by:

• Accessibility: Written for a general audience, they present information in an understandable manner.
• Currency: Frequent publication ensures timely coverage, though researchers should check for outdated information.
• Diverse Perspectives: Articles often include primary accounts and expert interviews, offering varied viewpoints.
• Localized Information: Local newspapers provide insights into community-specific issues.
• Visual Content: Use of photographs and graphics enhances engagement.