Notes from Adams Library

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11/07/2024
profile-icon Dragan Gill
No Subjects
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As the end of the semester approaches many students have final projects and papers due - research papers, literature reviews and seminar papers all require outside sources, including books from the library. We know the Adams Library can be a little confusing to navigate, so we've added a new tool to the catalog to help you find your way!

 

Step 1: Search the Catalog

From the library homepage you can narrow your search to Books and RIC Only. Or, if you have time to request books from another library, leave your search on Worldwide, to search more than 16,000 libraries or HELIN, to search within our local librarian consortium.

 

Step 2: Find the Call Number

Call numbers are used to organize books by subject on the shelves; they're sort of like a street address, but they also can help you find more on your topic. Adams Library, like most college libraries, uses the Library of Congress classification system, which arranges books by letter then numbers. As you continue to research in your major you may become more familiar with the call numbers related to your research. Save the call number or numbers you need! In this example the call number is: RT85 .C63 2015.

 

Step 3: Use the Locate Link

Our new catalog tool helps you navigate from searching in the catalog to finding the book on the shelf. In the results list, just click on Locate next the call number. Or, if you've clicked on the title to read more about the book, click on Locate in the Where is It? box, to the right. If there's an eBook, this box will provide a link to read it online. If we do not own a copy at Adams Library there will be a link to request the book through Interlibrary Loan or to get it from a HELIN library.

 

Step 4: Library Maps

As you navigate the building you'll find maps of the library next to the staircases and elevators. Use these to help you on your way!

 

You are always welcome to ask for further help, whether it's navigating the library building or any phase of your research process. 

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10/07/2024
profile-icon Rebecca Docter
No Subjects
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With RefWorks, you can organize your sources all in one place. Bonus: You can build your bibliography with just a few clicks.


Create a RefWorks Account

Adams Library recently subscribed to RefWorks, an online tool that helps students and faculty keep track of their sources and create references lists. To get started, create an account with your RIC email address. All set? Let’s jump into some of the ways you can use RefWorks for your research projects. 

 

Save References as You Research 

If you find a source through the Adams Library search box, use the “Cite” button to export the citation to RefWorks. From there, you can add the citation to a project or folder, and then later convert all of your citations into a bibliography or list of references. Tip: You can also use the “Tool” function in RefWorks to download a RefWorks browser extension, so you can save references found outside of Adams Library on the web.

 

Build a Bibliography 

RefWorks offers a “Create Bibliography” function, which allows you to start a new reference list, copy over citations from another source, and edit your citation style. Citation styles offered include APA, MLA, Chicago, and more!  

 

Stay Organized 

Working on more than one project? Researching on different computers? You can use RefWorks to access your references and documents from any device. Try utilizing folders to separate your projects. 

 

Collaborate with Classmates or Research Partners 

Get on the same page with your group project partners by sharing your RefWorks bibliography. The share function lets multiple users view and edit a bibliography.  

 

Need more info on RefWorks? View video tutorials. For research help, contact the reference desk. 

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09/04/2024
profile-icon Amy Barlow
No Subjects

 

Take a 30-Minute Tour

drop-in library tour graphic

Meet in the lobby every Wednesday at 1PM and Thursday at 3PM, September 11 through September 26, for a drop-in tour of Adams Library. Learn about study spaces, collections, and so much more. No RSVP required. All participants will receive a custom Adams Library/Biblioteca Adams laptop sticker. New first-years and new transfer students also receive credits toward the Anchors First Program.

 

Study on Your Own or as a Group

Adams Library is a building with four floors and a lot of different options for studying independently or in a group! For example, you can book a study room. Come to Adams Library to work on assignments, meet classmates, and take breaks. Food and drink are permitted. Be sure to look at Library Hours and note that Level 2 is for silent study. 

 

Find Credible Information for Your Assignments

Adams Library provides access to thousands of books, eBooks, peer-reviewed journals, and other resources for your coursework. We offer multiple online discovery tools for finding sources, including the WorldCat "everything" catalog, A-Z Database ListGoogle Scholar with library links, and more. If you want access to articles and books located in other places, we have a user-friendly interlibrary loan system. Looking for a citation tool to organize and generate references for your sources? Register for a RefWorks account through Adams Library. 

 

Get Research Help

Looking for assistance with the resources we just mentioned? Want some help evaluating a source? Ask a Reference Librarian or Student Reference Assistant. To find them, you can visit the Reference Desk, use the chat box on our website, or go to the Research Help page to view your subject librarian and then schedule a research help appointment in person or on zoom. Also, check out our online research tutorialssubject guides, and course guides to build your knowledge of specific research strategies and resources. 

 

Borrow Technology

The Borrowing Services desk lends technology to students for 4-weeks at a time. Students can borrow Dell laptops, MacBook Airs, graphing and financial calculators, and other types of devices. Visit the library’s Technology Lending site for more info. 

 

Print in B&W and Color

All current RIC students start each semester with $12.50 of credit on their accounts for printing. B&W printing is deducted at $.05 per page and color printing is deducted at $.25 per page. In Adams Library, you can use your print credits for B&W and color printing. To print, go to one of the desktop computers on Level 3 (library main floor) and then ask for assistance at the Printing Help Desk.

 

Explore College Archives and Special Collections 

Our Special Collections Department houses an incredible array of books, manuscripts, photographs, artifacts, media materials, and the Rhode Island College archives, some of which are accessible online through our updated RIC Digital Collections website (note: work on this system is still being completed). Students are invited to contact Professor Veronica Denison, Digital Archivist and Special Collections Librarian, at vdenison@ric.edu, to ask questions about the collections and schedule reading room appointments.

 

Browse New and Bestselling Books

Check out our browsing area on Level 3 (main floor). We love to see students looking for new and bestselling fiction and non-fiction. You can also visit our New Books & Materials in the Library blog.

 

Avoid Paywalls on Popular News Sites

We provide free digital subscriptions to the New York TimesWall Street Journal, and Chronicle of Higher Education for all current RIC students.

 

Follow Adams Library Social Media

We use @riclibrary on Instagram and Facebook to publicize library hours, resources, and events. Following us on social media is one of the best ways to find out about ongoing exhibits in the library, as well as annual initiatives like the Friends of the Adams Library First Year Research Prize

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09/03/2024
profile-icon Amy Barlow
No Subjects
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Access and Manage Scholarly Resources 

Adams Library provides access to thousands of books, eBooks, journals, and other resources for research and teaching. We offer multiple online discovery tools for finding resources, including the WorldCat "everything" catalog , A-Z Database ListGoogle Scholar with library links, and more. If you want access to articles and materials located at other institutions, we have an efficient interlibrary loan system and a department that will put strong effort into obtaining them for you. Looking for a citation management tool to organize your research materials? Register for a RefWorks account through Adams Library. 

 

Recommend Books and Streaming Media

Suggest purchases for our collections using the Faculty Purchase Recommendation Form or email your library liaison. When items become available, the Library can put them on Course Reserve for your students at your request. 

 

Avoid Paywalls on Popular News Sites

We provide free digital subscriptions to the New York TimesWall Street Journal, and Chronicle of Higher Education for all current RIC faculty, students, and staff. 

 

Work with Librarians

Our librarians have different specializations to support academic library operations, research in the disciplines, and information literacy outcomes. Use the live chat box on our website or our Research Help page to find a subject librarian/library liaison, schedule library instruction, or contact the Reference Department in general.

 

Explore Archives and Special Collections 

Our Special Collections Department houses an incredible array of unique materials and the Rhode Island College institutional archives, some of which are accessible online through our updated RIC Digital Collections website (note: work on this system is still being completed). Faculty are invited to contact Veronica Denison, Digital Archivist and Special Collections Librarian, at vdenison@ric.edu to schedule reading room appointments and discuss classroom integrations of special collections. For questions regarding faculty submissions to our institutional repository, email digitalcollections@ric.edu. They will hold workshops at the end of the semester for faculty and students to learn about the new submission procedures via RIC Digital Collections. 

 

Find and Publish Open Educational Resources 

Learn about open educational practices and adopt open access publications to reduce textbook costs for your students. For a list of Adams Library guides associated with open practices and resources, visit https://library.ric.edu/open.

 

Follow Adams Library Social Media

We use @riclibrary on Instagram and Facebook to publicize library hours, resources, and events. Following us on social media is the best way to learn about ongoing exhibits in the library, as well as annual initiatives like the Friends of the Adams Library First Year Research Prize

 

Borrow Bestsellers and New Academic Books

Check out our browsing area on Level 3 (main floor). We love to see faculty looking for new academic titles and current fiction and non-fiction bestsellers. You can also visit our New Books & Materials in the Library blog.

 

Hangout in the Library 

Adams Library is a building with four floors and book stacks on every level. It has a variety of spaces that are suited to research, reading, computing and printing, meeting-up with students and colleagues, and watching the baseball team practice. Be sure to look at Library Hours. Please note that Level 2 is for silent study. 

 

Related content: 10 Ways Students Can Use Adams Library 

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