Library Tutorial for Public Health

Last update: 16 February 2007, by Maureen Bell

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Introduction

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat. "I don't much care where--" said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat "--so long as I get SOMEWHERE," Alice added as an explanation. "Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough." (from Alice's conversation with the Cheshire Cat, in Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll.)

Alice obviously had difficulty with asking the right questions, and the Cheshire Cat took full advantage of this to provide her with infuriatingly logical non answers. You'll notice that Alice's main problem was that she didn't know where she wanted to go. Probably the most important skill you'll need to develop is asking the right questions (and working out beforehand where you want to go). If you don't, you may frequently be confronted with Cheshire Cat answers - computers are very good at that!!

Contents

This tutorial is to introduce you to library resources, and to help you to ask the right questions. It's divided into a number of sections listed below.

Section 1. The Library's web site
This section will help you to navigate the Library's web site.

Section 2. Deciphering references in a reading list or bibliography
This section will help you to recognise the difference between references to journal articles, books, and book chapters.

Section 3. Searching the catalogue for journals and books
This section explains how to search the catalogue effectively for a specific book or journal.

Section 4. Interpreting catalogue results - books
This section explains how to read a catalogue record for a book.

Section 5. Interpreting catalogue results - journals
This section will help you to understand catalogue records for both hard copy (print) and electronic journals.

Section 6. Searching the catalogue for books on a topic
This sections explains how to search for books on a particular topic

Section 7. Searching for journal articles on a topic
This section explains how to use databases to search for journal articles, and provides links to other resources on my public health page for more detailed help.

Go to Section 1