Sunday, April 27, 2014

Oxford Reference





You can use Oxford Reference to search a collection of dictionaries, encyclopedias, and companions in over 20 subject areas. Select this resource from the
A-Z List of E-Resources on the library home page.


You have access to more than two million entries in two main collections and in three additional areas:


--In Oxford Quick Reference you can quickly check a fact, or find out key information about a concept, person, or term from a collection of over 135 academic subject, language, and quotations dictionaries.   These resources are updated at least three times a year.


--In Oxford Reference Library you can delve deeper into a subject, research a term, concept, or person in articles and essays from over 200 plus in-depth and specialist titles from Oxford’s Encyclopedias and Companions, and a critical selection of partner publishers’ specialist scholarly works. 


--Essential Quotations.

Here is a result for a search for “education” limited to Quotations.  You are taken directly to the page link related to your search term:




















--Overview Pages.  Each overview includes a summary definition from the Quick Reference collection to provide context to the search term, followed by related content in a list of entries from the Oxford Reference Library. 


--Timelines. You can limit your results by period, geographic area, and subject.


TYPES OF SEARCHES
You can begin a search with a Subject browse ...






... or by searching within a particular subject area and filtering your results.

 











Search results will include a definition and a link to more resources in the Quick Reference collection, usually followed by results from the Reference Library.

 













You can limit your search results in a number of ways.



















Each result is labeled with the collection it is from--Quick Reference, Reference library, Overview Pages, etc. so you will know at a glance the depth of information presented.

The Reference Type search example below is limited to subject references.  A definition is given, and then results listed from subject encyclopedias and companions.  The definition is useful in determining whether the context is the one you intended, an especially important feature if terms  have different meanings in different fields. 
  
















Select Clear All to start a new search.


You can use the Advanced Search option to customize your search for more precision.


You can choose a citation style for each resource you plan to use.

















Be sure to check your citation manual to make sure it is exactly like the latest version your professor has requested.  You may need to tweak the Oxford Reference citations, which can be done fairly easily, and you have all the information you will need to cite your source.


You may find Oxford Reference a good starting point for your research project. 

Want to know more?  Take a video tour!




 
  

















     





Sunday, April 13, 2014

TEXSHARE

TEXSHARE CARDS                                           

Have you ever done a research project and discovered that there are so few resources?
Did you know that as an ACC student, you have access to just about any library in Texas?
If you have not visited an ACC campus library to pick up your FREE TexShare card, do it now!

What is TexShare?


TexShare is a cooperative program designed to improve service to Texans. Members include public libraries that belong to the regional library systems, academic libraries, and libraries of clinical medicine. TexShare enables libraries to offer a broader range of materials and services than any single library can provide for its constituents.
With a TexShare Card, a library patron may directly borrow books, music, movies and more from any other participating TexShare library, just as if he or she were card-holder there. If your local library participates in the TexShare Card program, you can request a TexShare Card at the circulation desk. See each library's lending policy for eligibility and restrictions.

A TexShare card is free to any ACC student who is currently enrolled. It lasts all semester and can be renewed every semester that you are enrolled in classes.

With a TexShare card, you can check out materials from any participating library in Texas. This includes, UT, Austin Public, and many more. Click here to find a library near you.

Visit the Texas State Library and Archives Commission website to learn more.