Save time! Learn EndNote! May 13, 2008
Posted by Emily in : Citing Sources, Cool tools, Duke researchers, Research Help , add a commentStart your summer research with a bang by learning to use EndNote, a reference management tool that is sure to save you time and frustration. Duke faculty, students and staff may download EndNote to personal or work computers, free of charge.
Perkins Library is offering a free introductory EndNote session on Tuesday, May 27 from 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM in Bostock Library, Room 023. We’ll provide an orientation to the software, show you how to set up your personal EndNote library and then teach you to format a bibliography in a couple of keystrokes.
Interested? Register today! And stay tuned for more Intro and Advanced EndNote sessions this summer!
Save time! Learn EndNote! April 9, 2008
Posted by Emily in : Cool tools, Duke researchers, Research Help, Tips for students , add a commentJump start your research and writing by using EndNote, a reference management tool that is sure to save you time and frustration. Duke faculty, students and staff may download EndNote to personal or work computers, free of charge.
Perkins Library is offering four free EndNote sessions:
- Wed, Apr 9 from 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM in Lilly Library Training Room (EndNote Advanced–Scieces/Social Sciences)
- Mon, Apr 14 from 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM in Lilly Library Training Room (Introduction to EndNote)
- Tue, Apr 15 from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM in Bostock Library, Room 023 (EndNote Advanced)
- Thu, Apr 17 from 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM in Bostock Library, Room 023 (Introduction to EndNote)
Interested? Register today — space is limited!
How do I cite sources? March 14, 2008
Posted by Kathi in : Citing Sources, Question of the Week, Research Help, Tips for students , 1 comment so farThere is a citation help guide available through the library website.
The section on the left explains how to cite sources within your paper. The section on the right explains how to compile a list of references at the end of your paper. Styles covered in this guide include: MLA, APA, Turabian, Chicago, and CSE. If this source does not include what you are looking for - try a Google search. Many libraries create similar citation guides, and one of them just might have what you need. Complete style manuals can also be borrowed from the library. Check the online catalog for availability.
For keeping track of citations and managing your references, be sure to consider some of the bibliographic software options available to Duke students:
- EndNote, for example, will import references into a document as you write, and papers can be automatically formatted according to many different bibliographic styles.
- The open-source Zotero (part 1 / part 2) is also an exciting new Firefox extension that allows you to store, retrieve and organize your reference sources for a more streamlined citation process.
Any of these can be fabulous time-saving options, and worth taking the effort to learn and explore!
Working over Spring Break? We are. March 6, 2008
Posted by Phoebe in : Life in the library, Research Help, Tips for students , add a commentFor those of you who are working hard instead of (or in addition to) playing hard this spring break, here are some tips for using the library remotely:
You have automatic access to all the library’s article databases and other resources while you are home (or in Myrtle Beach.) Use the “database search” box on the library home page to find the resource you need, and when you click through to it you will be prompted for your NetID and password. More information on remote access is here.
We’re here for questions via email, IM, and phone. We’ll be keeping short hours during the week, but if you email overnight we’ll get back to you first thing in the morning.
For those staying in town, come on by! We’re only open days, but we’d love to see you.
(Photo of Myrtle Beach taken by Curtis and Eric, found at Flickr, and used under a Creative Commons license.)
Where is the best place to find information on a specific subject? February 7, 2008
Posted by Kathi in : Question of the Week, Research Help, Tips for students , add a commentThere are a number of ways to approach a subject search, and I’d recommend exploring all of these options:
- Subject guides: These guides can be found through the library website, and introduce multiple resources which are particularly useful for specific subject areas. They have been created by our own subject librarians, and can provide an excellent starting point for your research.
- Databases: For step-by-step instructions, watch this brief tutorial (1 min, 5 sec) on choosing a database for your topic. In addition to a database search, both the article tab and advanced search e-journal tabs offer pull down subject headings which can help narrow the field.
- Print Resources: When searching the library catalog for books, it might be useful to try a subject search using the Library of Congress subject headings. Find a book that is relevant to your topic using a keyword search, and then explore the topic by either displaying other records that match your topic or browse other subject headings that may be related to it.
- Research Consultation: Still having difficulty or unable to find what you need? Individual research consultations can be arranged by appointment with one of our reference or subject librarians. Consultations can be arranged within a week, but feel free to email, IM, call or stop by the reference desk if you need some pointers to get you headed in the right direction.
