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Library Guides: Communication 1 Public Speaking
Instructor, Heather Bixler
Developed by Gina Haycock, Librarian
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:
Subject Encyclopedias: (a small sampling of what is available)
The Digestive System and Digestive Disorders
#R616.3003 M666
Eating Disorders and Obesity
#R616.8526 E14
The Cambridge World History of Food
#R641.309 C178
For Apearances' Sake: The Historical Encyclopedia of Good Looks, Beauty
and Grooming #R646.7042 S553
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
"keyword search" and
type in "opposing viewpoints"and
change the sort by drop-down box to "title".
Another series of books in the COS Library are called "Reference Shelf".
To find these books type in a Keyword search
"reference shelf"
and change the sort by
drop-down box to "title".
ONLINE
BOOKS:
-
NetLibrary E-books: Electronic full-text
copies of published print materials, such as reference books,
scholarly and popular books. They can be accessed
from any computer on campus as well as remotely from home when you
set up a user name and password from a campus computer
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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:
The following two databases are full-text:
-
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)
DATABASES FOR
SCHOLARLY SOURCES: (These
databases are not completely full-text.)
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Infotrac
- Infotrac
provides articles from more than 500 scholarly, trade and
general-interest publications, as well as references for The New York
Times. The databases integrate core titles in every major academic
concentration; area
and issue-specific journals; academic journals with application
in the professions; and publications with national news coverage and
commentary.
The time period it covers is current year to date + the previous 3 years. The
optional backfile extends coverage as far back
as 1980. (Annual Cost $9,732)
-
Academic
Search Elite - This database indexes over
1000
periodicals from 1984 to the present. It will identify the
periodical titles that the COS Visalia Library owns. (Annual
Cost $11,000)
DATABASE FOR A COMBINATION OF SOURCE TYPES:
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Student Research Center
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This site provides access to the Columbia Encyclopedia as
well as government reports, magazines, news transcripts, Primary Source
Documents and more.
Search Tips:
WEB SITES FOR CONTEMPORARY ISSUES:
Yahoo Issues and Causes
http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Issues_and_Causes/
Librarian's Index to the Internet:
Society and Social Science
Education Debate
Association
http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/
You are visitor number:
This page was created November 2006. This page was last updated:
04/25/2008
For questions and comments, please mail to:
ginah@cos.edu
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