Why Library?

• One isn't better than the other

  • Different information needs require different places to search.

• The library is a resource for you as CCNY students

  • Utilize all the tools available to you. 

  • Librarians are nice and helpful!

LLMs & Generative AI

• Fake sources

• Cognitive offloading

  • What do you give up when you outsource thinking and the process of learning to a machine?

• Howe we learn!

  • Process, problem solving, failure

• Environmental concerns

  • Is it worth it?

Searching as (strategic) Exploration

• Searching for information is often nonlinear and iterative.

• You might not find the exact 'answer' to your questions.

• Think of your sources as puzzle pieces, each with their own bit of information or context that work together to provide a complete picture.

Scholarly

• Author & Audience

  • by journalists for the general public

• Publication

  • newspaper or magazine

• Content

  • human interest hook, photos, little or no specialized language, background on topic

• Citations

  • links within the text

• Author & Audience

  • by academics & researchers for other academics & researchers

• Publication

  • peer reviewed journal

• Content

  • original research, data, findings, theoretical framework, specialized language
    

• Citations

  • Works cited or bibliography

Secondary

Primary

Tertiary

library.ccny.cuny.edu

library.ccny.cuny.edu/africanhistory

Research guide with recommended databases, books, and primary source sources collected in on place.