Ask a librarian - Books and other materials - Other resources - Instruction services
In order to meet the needs of all students, whether off-campus, on, graduate, or undergraduate, as of Spring 2003 we are answering questions via an email from. Email questions to a reference librarian regarding research techniques, resources, or other information needs. You may also still call 417-865-2815 ext. 7268 or come into the library during regular hours.
Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)
The Voyager Online
Public Access Catalog provides access to all books, pamphlets, periodicals,
music CDs, and audiovisual materials in the library collection, as well
as to the materials on reserve.
How do I get to the online catalog?
You may access the online
catalog both on campus and off campus.
Where are materials located?
How do I search the catalog?
Depending on what you know about a resource or topic you may search
the catalog in a variety of ways, including:
What if something is already checked out?
If an item you need is currently checked out, please make a recall request
via the online catalog or contact the library
circulation desk or 865-2815. (See holds)
What if I can't find what I need?
Please ask for assistance if you are not finding what you need, either
in person or via Ask a librarian.
If we do not have what you are looking for we can help you find something
at another
library or help you order materials through interlibrary
loan.
How to find articles
The library subscribes to over 800 journals and also has access to online
journals through the EBSCOHost,
ProQuest,
and PsycARTICLES.
How do I find articles on my topic?
Rather than randomly looking through journals hoping to find something
relevant to your topic you can use a resource known as a Periodical
Index or Abstract. Depending on your topic you may choose to use an
online
version (aka a database) or one of a variety of print resources
found in the Reference room:
Where are the periodicals/journals/newspapers/magazines?
Regardless of what you label them, all serials, whether periodicals,
journals, newspapers, or magazines are mainly located in the Reference
area of the Klaude Kendrick Library; a few are on the library's south
balcony, and in the IRC.
How are the periodicals organized?
In the Reference room periodicals are shelved alphabetically and found
in three formats:
How do I copy articles?
Although periodicals may not leave the library there are two photocopiers
available in the reference room, as well as a microfilm reader/copier.
Whether for print or microfilm, copies are 10 cents per page and change
is available at the Circulation Desk.
Research & Internet resources
Check the Library's subject directory for pertinent and scholarly internet sites on your research topic.
Check the list of Information Resource Guides available to download.
Vertical file
An oftentimes-unknown wealth of information is available in the vertical
file cabinets located near the microfilm cabinets at the front of the
reference room. This vertical file includes pamphlets, maps, travel
literature, some government documents, and other selected clippings
on many topics of current interest. These items do not circulate outside
the reference room, yet copies can be made.
Newspapers
The library subscribes to eight national and local newspapers. Current
newspapers are kept on "reading sticks" in the Reference area.
For issues from the previous two weeks ask at the Circulation Desk and
for previous years of the New York Times check the microfilm cabinets
behind the microfilm reader.
Music CDs, LPs, & Scores
The Music Listening
Lab houses all of Evangel's music scores, CDs, and LPs. Also recordings
of past music Evangel concerts - choir, band, orchestra - are available.
To find what is available go to the Music Listening Lab and browse or
use the Online
Public Access Catalog.
If you want a score or recording as opposed to a book on a composer
or composition it is best to use the "Builder Search."
Example: Finding a recording of Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony:
(These are basic instructions and can be modified. I.e. leave out steps 5 & 6 for all recordings by Tchaikovsky, or replace step 4 with "score." If you are not finding what you need ask someone, expand your search, or try a different spelling or keyword.)
Educational & curriculum materials
The Instructional Resource Center, IRC,
in Academic Building #204 is mainly for education majors preparing classroom
presentations. However the IRC may also be useful to those teaching
Sunday school, wanting tapes of chapel services, needing to learn PowerPoint,
scanning, laminating, and much more. Instructional videos and media
equipment are also available in the IRC.
Library research clinics are short sessions taught by a librarian to help students learn how to do general and specific research on any subject. These are available on a sign-up basis. Instructors may also contact the reference department at any time to arrange an instruction session that could either be in your classroom or in the library itself.
Research Process
Research is a process and those that do it well start early in order
to really explore a topic and then sufficiently focus to an area of
interest. Carol Kuhlthau's Information
Search Process is an empirically tested model demonstrating the
way successful research is accomplished. Information gathering occurs
at two main points during the research process and the library is here
to be your research advisor.
A reference librarian enjoys showing people library
resources and how to use them.
Please, ask us any kind of question at any time, as we are here to
serve you.
Reference
Desk