Librarian's Corner
Break down your research topic into key search terms.
Place phrases within quotations if there isn't an option to search by phrase.
For my research example, I would use different combinations of these search terms:
CUL Catalog
Features of the Cornell Catalog:
Includes all of Cornell's subscribed e-books, journal titles, recent issues of print journals, and books on order or in the process of being added to the collection.
Better records for some law, music, rare book, and manuscript resources, as well as items in some large online historical collections.
Ability to browse by subject heading -- subheadings.
Ability to search by call number.
Search tips:
Search by title, journal title, author or begin with a relevance keyword search.
Start broad with a Basic Search.
The Advanced Search Option helps you to narrow and be even more specific when doing research!!!
Catalog Record
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Call Number: PS3515.U789 T5x 1999ISBN: 9780060931414Publication Date: 1998-12-01Fair and long-legged, independent and articulate, Janie Crawford sets out to be her own person -- no mean feat for a black woman in the '30s. Janie's quest for identity takes her through three marriages and into a journey back to her roots.
The Catalog Record provides helpful insight into a specific book!!
Use the Catalog Record to find out
- Availability
-Location
-Author
-Book Edition
-Text Language
-Publication date
-Subject terms
-Summary/Abstract
-Table of Contents
- As well as to Virtually Shelf Read other similar books!
CUL & Beyond--Worldcat Local Catalog
Features of the Worldcat Local Catalog:
Many resources from Cornell and from libraries beyond Cornell
Defaults to keyword search
Includes some articles from several OCLC databases (see the Finding Articles tab for more complete coverage)
Search tips:
To search for an exact title, or phrase, use quotation marks (e.g. "near east")
Use the Advanced Search to search by author, title, or subject and to limit by language, format, date or date range
To search for variations of a word, enter at least three letters of the terms followed by a question mark (?) or asterisk (*)
For example, politi? or politi* retrieves records that contain politics or political.
After viewing results, you may Refine Your Search to a specific format (e.g., journals, dvds,), year, language, etc.
Suggested Search Terms
| Racism | (Book title ex. Sula, Their Eyes Were Watching God) | Subjectivity |
| Racial Identity | Citizenship | Femininity |
| Colonialism | Nationhood | Masculinity |
| Community | Selfhood/ Personhood | Desire |
Activity!
Using the suggested research key terms, do a search to find at least ONE book that you would use for your research paper.
Using the catalog record, find out:
Is this book available at Cornell University Library?
What is the subject of the book?/ What are the academic chapters about?
At the bottom of the catalog record, find the nearest books on a similar topic and examine those catalog records as well.
Choose to either :
Add the book to your bookbag for safekeeping!!
Email the catalog record to yourself for safekeeping!!
Request the book to be picked up from the library of your choice!!!