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HCOL 085: The Pursuit of Knowledge (Fall 2020)

Welcome to the Library!

This research guide is intended to:

  1. help you complete any assignments that require some library research.
  2. introduce you to a selected number of licensed online library resources: the Library's online catalog of books and dvds; the Library's discovery tool, CATQuest; several reference works (e.g., encyclopedias, handbooks, companions); some article databases which will help you locate articles in journals, magazines, and newspapers from all over the world.  The online resources in this guide are drawn from the Research Databases section of the Library's website. Note...... contact me for help with identifying other article databases if the topics you choose are not adequately covered by the sources in the research guide.

STOP!

Use your UVM NetID and password to log in to the UVM network through EZproxy before you begin your research, to access the UVM Libraries' licensed electronic resources, such as article databases, electronic journals, e-books, and more.   Once you're logged in look for "ezproxy.uvm.edu" in the URL of the web page (e.g., http://library.uvm.edu.ezproxy.uvm.edu/) to ensure that you are connected to the UVM network.  NOTEUVM affiliates only after a database name indicates a licensed library database, restricted to UVM affiliates.

Getting Research Help in Fall 2020

There are a variety of ways to get help remotely from the Howe Library reference librarians during this time.  Have a question?  Please ask us!

Contact me directly through e-mail (Patricia Mardeusz : patricia.mardeusz@uvm.edu) to ask a question or to schedule a time to "meet" virtually for an individual research consultation through Teams. Depending on your specific needs (e.g., not too complex), you may be able to schedule a "chat" session with me.

NOTE: If you want to schedule a "chat" with me individually, e-mail me so we can schedule a time and day. Then use the chat function in my "Profile" box on this page. 

If you need real-time help, use our Ask A Librarian chat service below to ask a question. Beginning August 31, 2020, Reference Chat hours are: Mon-Thurs, 9 am-6 pm and Fri, 9 am-4 pm.  
Note: If you see a message that says "chat unavailable"  during chat "open hours," try refreshing your browser. It may be that two librarians are switching off with one another.

Before You Search....

Before you begin searching for books and articles, use the reference sources (encyclopedias, handbooks, etc.) listed in the "Starting Points" pages. They will:

  • provide a scholarly yet accessible introduction to your topic in the broadest sense.
  • identify key ideas, themes and important people associated with your topic.
  • introduce unfamiliar terms that you can add to your list of keywords.
  • include a list of books and articles (bibliography) useful for further study.
  • Subject encyclopedias, in particular, may help you either choose or narrow/focus a topic.

Library Quick Links

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
Found a citation to a book or journal article that you need, but isn't owned by the library? Obtain the item through Interlibrary Loan.

Interlibrary Loan's (ILL) service for UVM affiliates will obtain materials (books, articles, book chapters) not owned by the UVM Libraries, from other libraries and document delivery sources. This service is free for UVM students, faculty, and staff. An article is delivered electronically and usually arrives within a few days. Book requests are generally filled within a week. 

If you are making a request for the first time, you will need to register for the service before making a request. View this brief video for instructions on how to register.

Document Delivery (materials owned by UVM Libraries)

UVM students may request scans of articles and book chapters from materials available in Howe Library regular print and microform collections. ILL staff will scan articles or book chapters and deliver them as a PDF to a user's Interlibrary Loan (ILL) portal. There is no fee. Copyright law applies. View this brief video on how to make a request.

Requests for ILL and Document Delivery may be placed online. Log in to your ILL portal using your UVM netid and e-mail password.
If you are making a request for the first time, you will need to register for the service before making a request. View this brief video for instructions on how to register.

Find more details and a link to the ILL and document delivery request forms. There is also a link ("ILL/DD" green button) on the Library homepage.

Working Off Campus?

Use your UVM NetID and password to log in to the UVM network through EZproxy before you begin your research, to access the UVM Libraries' licensed electronic resources, such as article databases, electronic journals, e-books, and more.

Once you're logged in look for "ezproxy.uvm.edu" in the URL of the web page (e.g., http://library.uvm.edu.ezproxy.uvm.edu/) to ensure that you are connected to the UVM network.
NOTEUVM affiliates only after a database name indicates a licensed library database, restricted to UVM affiliates.