HIST 2180

Research resources from UM Libraries

Today we will look at:

• Library services during pandemic times
• Search strategies & resources
• Expanding your search beyond the UM's collection

Quick Poll

How many of you have:

• used the Library Search (aka the "library catalogue", once called "One Stop Search")
• visited the History subject guide
• ordered something using Document Delivery
• used a database outside the Library Search

Let us know at https://www.menti.com/fz9bb4en2n

Library services during pandemic times

Note - during pandemic times:

• Online library services are always available
• In-person services are available in a limited capacity, which may change as the situation evolves.

Currently:

Request physical books to pick up at
Elizabeth Dafoe Library

Request scanned portions of books in & outside our collection (up to 10% or 1 chapter)

Limited in-person study space available

Search Strategies

1. Start with the Library Search: umanitoba.ca/libraries

In here you will find:

• All our books and ebooks
• Some (not all) of content from databases we subscribe to
  • Databases contain:
    • journal articles
    • online encyclopedias & dictionaries
    • primary sources

Developing a search

Example topic: What influence did the roman emperors have on early Christianity?

Key concepts

• early Christianity
• Roman emperors

Search Tip: to get more results

Try to find all the different ways of expressing the concept you're searching for. This can be done by:

• putting OR between synonyms (rome OR roman)
• adding an asterisk (*) to the root of a word:

E.g.: Christian* - finds Christian, Christians, Christianity...

Note - Christ* also finds Christmas, Christo (the artist)...

Search Tip: to get more specific results

(narrowing down your search)

• Put a phrase "in quotation marks" to find results with those words in that order.
  • E.g.: "gothic revival"
• Use NOT to exclude unrelated content.
  • E.g. miami dolphins NOT football

More search tips on the Undergraduate Help & Services pages

Requesting Items

• Sign in to the Library Search with your umnetID
  • UM email account without "@myumanitoba.ca", same password
  • Problems signing in? Staff on the Ask Us library chat can help

When requesting a book that's checked out, the other person has 3 weeks to return it (recall period extended during the pandemic).

Document Delivery during pandemic times

("Request from another library" link in the Library Search)

No physical book requests

Request a copy of up to 10% or one chapter of a book

Request journal articles

Requesting a chapter or 10%

Search for the Table of Contents:

• in the Details area of a Library Search record
• via Google Books or Amazon (sometimes there is also a preview...)
• email documentdelivery@umanitoba.ca just to request the Table of Contents
  • Provide at least the title, author, link to the book in the Library Search

For more sources, check:

• Bibliographies of works on your topic
• "Cited by" feature in many databases (e.g. Avery)
• Subject headings in databases

After Library Search:

• Subject Guides
  • History
  • Classics may also be helpful for this course

Citation Guides

Questions?

General Library Help

• Questions about your library account, or how the UM Libraries work? The Help & Services page for undergraduate students may have the answer.
• During the Fall term, library staff are available via the Ask Us chat service: 9am-8pm Monday-Thursday, 9am-6pm Friday, and 1pm-4pm on weekends.
  • Fastest way to ask a general question about the Libraries.
  • If we're not online, your message will be received the following morning.

Questions?

Research Support

• History subject guide
  • resources for research
  • citation info
• Contact Ellen for help with your search strategy when looking for resources for your assignments, advice on which databases are the best places to look for various research topics, and with questions about citing.
  • By email: Ellen.Tisdale@umanitoba.ca
  • By appointment, via phone or video chat
  • By cellphone: (204) 583-1528