Library Guides: Speech 5
Instructor, Tom Weiss
Developed by Gina Haycock, Librarian
June 4, 2008
REFERENCE BOOKS: Located on the first floor of the library behind the Reference Desk. These books must remain in the library. Reference books include dictionaries, almanacs and encyclopedias. Specialized or subject encyclopedias (concentrating on a particular subject instead of covering all knowledge) are excellent starting points for research. They are focused on a particular topic, cover the major concepts of the topic, are written by experts in the field, and often have bibliographies or other references. Examples of Reference books in the COS library are as follows:
Statistical Abstract of the United States #R317.3 Un58
This resource is also available online at the following
URL: http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/
The World Almanac and Book of Facts #R317.3 W927
Online Reference Books:
Gale Virtual Reference Library
- Gale
provides access to 200 reference books. All the books are full-text
and cover a wide variety of topics including art, science,
literature and much more. All 200 titles can be searched
simultaneously or individual titles may
be selected. (Cost $20,000)
CIRCULATING BOOKS: Located on the second floor of the library. Our newest books are, for the most part, in the areas of science and social issues, and current topics, because we try to build the collection to the type of assignments given to students. In the COS Library there is a series of books called "Opposing Viewpoints" which give pro and con arguments on a variety of issues. To find these in the catalog use a "simple search" and type in "opposing viewpoints".
Another series of books in the COS Library are called "Reference Shelf". To find these books type in a simple search "reference shelf" in the book catalog.
Online Books:
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PERIODICALS INDEXES AND DATABASES: Located on the first floor of the library. Periodicals refer to information printed over a period of time such as magazines, journals and newspapers. These are excellent sources for current and authoritative information. To find an article on a specific topic, it is necessary to use an index. Indexes are available in paper and electronic formats. The library subscribes to approximately 23 indexes, 300 periodicals and 13 newspapers. For a list of which periodicals and indexes are available at COS click on the link: http://www.cos.edu/library/periodicalsalpha.htm . For periodicals that the COS Library does not have available, there is also the possibility of an Inter-Library Loan from Fresno State University.
ALSO, through the Electronic Resources link, http://cos.edu/library/electronic.htm, on the COS Library’s Web Site, there are links to the electronic index subscription databases that the library makes available to COS students. Many of these indexes offer full-text articles, which means the entire article will be available even if the library doesn't subscribe to the periodical itself. If a student is off campus, passwords are necessary to access these databases. Passwords are available for COS students at the COS Library Information Desk or by calling the Library at (559) 737-6179.
DATABASES
FOR CONTEMPORARY ISSUES:- CQ Researcher - Your complete source on the most current and controversial issues of the day with complete summaries, all the pros and cons, bibliographies and more. (Annual Cost $523)
- SIRS (Social Issues Research Series) - SIRS contains all full-text articles from a variety of newspaper and magazines covering current social issues. (Annual Cost $1440)
WEB SITES FOR CONTEMPORARY ISSUES:
- CNN http://www.cnn.com/
- National Public Radio http://www.npr.org/
- Justice Talking http://www.justicetalking.org/
- COS Library Web Sites By Topic: Hot Topics
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This page was created May 2008. This page was last updated:
10/13/2008
For questions and comments, please mail to:
ginah@cos.edu