Hiram College Library: UCS 10101 Course Guide: Step 1: Get Started

Tip: Use a keyword search instead of a whole question. Then narrow down the results with the filters on the side.

Ohio Academic Libraries
Borrow books from academic libraries across Ohio and pick up at Hiram College Library with OhioLINK!
Ohio Public Libraries
Borrow from public libraries across Ohio and pick up at Hiram College Library with SearchOhio!

What types of materials can I borrow through SearchOhio and OhioLINK? You can request print materials, audiobooks, music, movies and other formats.
How long before I receive my requested material? Most arrive within a week, but it depends on their availability. You’ll be notified by email when they arrive.
How do I return items? Drop them off at Hiram Library!
Are there different rules for borrowing? Yes. Items have different loan periods, renewal limits, daily fine rates and replacement costs than the items you borrow from Hiram College Library.

Using library resources to find information can feel tough at first, but there are lots of features built-in to actually make your life easier!

Use Keywords, Not Sentences: Look at your research question and pull out the most important words and search just those.
Try Synonyms: If you don't find what you need, try to think of other ways to say the same thing. Example: adolescent and teenager
Find Subject Headings: When you find an article that looks promising, click the subject headings (in blue) to find similar articles. Think of these like a librarian's hashtag; if you can figure out what the experts are calling your topic, you'll find more.
Use Boolean Operators: AND - Narrows your search by combining terms, OR - Broadens your search by including any of the terms, NOT - Excludes terms to narrow your results
Still stuck? Ask a librarian for help! We are experts at finding information and love a challenge!

Check it out!

The College Student's Research Companion by Arlene Rodda Quaratiello
Call Number: 025.524 Qua 2024
ISBN: 9780838938386
Publication Date: 2023-09-12
Save yourself from fruitless, random web searching with the help of this cutting-edge guide, newly updated to reflect the broad range of today's information sources. With this trusted resource by your side, you will master the skills needed to integrate quality informational sources into you writing, enabling you to craft better essays; receive guidance on topic selection, time management, and research planning; learn a five-step process for evaluating sources; be introduced to the fundamentals of database searching, using reference sources, and finding periodical articles, books, and websites; get pointers on using sources properly, with advice on citing them according to widely used documentation styles, avoiding plagiarism, quoting or paraphrasing correctly, and incorporating notes.