How do I ...?

cite a Web site and other sources?

evaluate Web sites?

find articles?

The best way to locate articles from magazines, journals, and newspapers is by using a periodical index. You'll find the library's online periodical indexes under Periodical Databases.

find books?

Search the HELIN Library Catalog to locate books that the CCRI Library holds, as well as books owned by the other HELIN member libraries. You can search by author, title, subject, keywords, ISBN, and a few other options. When you are conducting research, you will probably want to search most frequently by subject and/or keywords.

find Web sites?

The easiest way to locate Web pages and sites is by using what are known as Internet search tools. Search tools include search engines, subject directories, and meta-search engines.  The lines distinguishing between the search tools are sometimes hazy: some search engines have directory features and some subject directories have search engine functions.

Which search tool should you use?

Search Engines use computer programs that search the Internet and collect and index Web pages. Use a search engine when you want to search for information on a narrow or obscure topic, search for a topic that involves a combination of multiple concepts, locate a specific site, search the full text of millions of pages, retrieve a large number of results, or find particular types of files.  Google is currently one of the most popular and effective search engines.

Subject Directories present collections of links to Web resources that have been submitted by individuals and organized into subject categories. Use a subject directory when you want to research a broad topic, view a list of sites selected by humans and not computer programs, retrieve a list of relevant sites rather than individual Web pages, retrieve a limited number of results, or locate current content.  Yahoo! has a very popular subject directory, but you may want to try the more selective Librarians' Internet Index.

Meta-Search Engines search the indexes of a number of search engines simultaneously and retrieve the results. Meta-search engines are best used when you are in a hurry and want a quick overview on a subject, conducting a very simple search, or searching for a very obscure topic and haven't had much luck using search engines or subject directories.  Dogpile is an example of a powerful meta-search engine.

You'll find many search tools under Web Resources.

link to subscription databases and articles?

recommend material for library purchase?

Online forms to recommend material for purchase for the campus libraries can be found on the Library Information page.

renew a book?

You may be able to renew your books online after first selecting View Your Library Record from the HELIN Library Catalog. You will need your CCRI Library Card to complete this transaction.

request a HELIN loan?

You can request that a book that is listed as available in the HELIN Library Catalog be sent to the HELIN library of your choice. While viewing the record in HELIN, click on the HELIN Request button and fill in the information. You will need your CCRI Library Card to request a HELIN loan.

request an InRhode (i.e., Brown University Library) loan?

If a book is available at the Brown University Library but not at the other HELIN member libraries, you may be able to request it as an InRhode loan.  First, search the HELIN Library Catalog.  If the book is not available in HELIN, click on the Search InRhode button.  While viewing the record in the InRhode Library Catalog, click on the REQUEST THIS ITEM link.  Select HELIN as your institution, click on the Submit button, and fill in the information.  You will need your CCRI Library Card to request an InRhode loan.

request an Interlibrary Loan?

Materials that are not available at the HELIN libraries may be ordered through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). You will need your CCRI Library Card to request an ILL. Please view the CCRI Interlibrary Loan Policy and/or see a Reference Librarian for assistance.

set up a journal or search alert?

view my library record?

Select Your Library Record from the HELIN Library Catalog.  You will need your CCRI Library Card to view your record.  You will be able to see what material you have checked out and the status of any HELIN and Interlibrary Loan requests.

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