1. Getting Started with Background Information

If you need background information on your topic, including a broad overview or historical information, you may want to consult a reference book such as a subject encyclopedia or dictionary. Some possible sources include the following:

2. Searching for in-depth, older (more than 2 years old) information

You may also search PILOT for additional books and materials owned by the Andruss Library for more in-depth information, using keyword or subject searching. Following are some Library of Congress Subject Headings that may be helpful.

3. Finding Up-to-Date Information in Subject-Specific Journals

For more current information on specific topics, you will consult the professional journal literature, including trade publications and scholarly journals, for primary and secondary sources. Following is a list of key databases for speech pathology that you can use to identify relevant articles by topic.

• Access to all databases is through the Library's Web page. For a complete alphabetical listing of all our subscribed databases, go to the Databases for Research link and select a subject area ('Medicine and Health'). If you are off-campus, you will be prompted to enter your Library Account Number, a fourteen-digit number found on the lower left hand corner of your Bloomsburg University ID.

• For a helpful print guide to searching databases , refer to Database Searching Steps , by Bill Frost.

4. Finding (and not finding) books and journals in Andruss Library

If you are looking for a book ,

• You will need the call number and location information. Generally, books beginning with call numbers A to N are found on the 3 rd floor, and those beginning with P to Z are on the 4 th floor. Consult the Floor Plans for more complete information.

• If a book is NOT available in Andruss Library, you may request it through another Library at no charge using one of our interlibrary loan options. Consult our Web page for more information.

If you are looking for a journal article ,

• First check Serials Solution , a database that lists the periodicals available through Andruss Library. Search by the journal's name to see if the journal is available either electronically or in print. Generally, print journals dated 1989 or later are located on the 1 st floor of the Library (in Current, Bound, or Microfilm areas) while journals dated earlier than 1989 are located on the 4 th floor. Following is a sample record:

The above screen shot shows that the American journal of speech-language pathology is available electronically through the database Communication & Mass Media Complete and in print in the Andruss Library from 1991 to the present.

• To view the electronic journal , click on the name of the database in which it is available.
• To find the print copy, click on the link for 'Andruss Library Holdings'. This will search PILOT, indicating where the journal is located in the Library.
• If the journal is NOT listed in Serials Solution , you may assume we do not have it, and you may request it through interlibrary loan .

3. Exploring Selected Internet Sites

You may want to explore some of the following Web sites, including those sponsored by the professional associations, for additional information.

If you have any other questions, please stop by the Reference Desk for assistance or call 389-4204. You may also e-mail your questions to Reference, using the Research Question? link on our Web page. Additionally, I am available for consultation; please do not hesitate to contact me.

September, 2004