Summer Library Support for Research

Spring 2024

Research & Instruction Librarians:

Simon Elichko • Donna Fournier

Amanda Licastro • Roberto Vargas • Abbie Weil

Agenda

Off-campus access
VPN and beyond
Search tips
- Tripod
- Google
Creating resource lists
Assignment design

But first

Introductions

Name, pronouns, department, research project and/or

any fun summer plans

Accessing resources off-campus

Proxy server + VPN

Most* library resources automatically recognize Swarthmore IP addresses, so if you're using a Swarthmore internet connection, you'll get access.

*Some news sites like Wall Street Journal require an individual login

Applies to: Most licensed online resources such as JSTOR, Web of Science, ProQuest databases and ebooks, Cambridge University Press journals and ebooks

On-Campus

Off-Campus

You'll need to use either the proxy server or Swarthmore's VPN to access resources from off-campus.

If you use links in Tripod or Research Guides, you'll be prompted to sign into the proxy server if needed.

Accessing resources off-campus

Proxy Server (EZProxy)

If you use links in Tripod or Research Guides, you'll be prompted to sign into the proxy server if needed.
Or, start your session by going to proxy.swarthmore.edu and signing in. You'll get temporary access in that browser window.

screenshot of page "you are now logged into ezproxy"

Accessing resources off-campus

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Why? Gives you more consistent access to licensed resources while off-campus. Lets you use multiple browsers and windows without needing to sign in multiple times.
One-time setup Download Cisco AnyConnect
from VPN and Off-Campus Access
(ITS Knowledgebase). Follow instructions to install.
Connect to VPN Open Cisco AnyConnect. Enter your Swarthmore credentials and preferred Duo authentication method. Once you're connected, you can access resources without needing proxy links.

Accessing resources off-campus

Tip: Add Proxy to a Link

Scenario: You're off-campus, searching in Google, and find a book you want to read from Cambridge. We don't seem to have access.

Fix: You can create a link that will send your request through the proxy server.
To do this, add the proxy prefix to the main link.

Proxy prefix is navy and bold, and the main link is brown:

https://proxy.swarthmore.edu/login?url=https://www.jstor.org

https://proxy.swarthmore.edu/login?url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/origins-of-european-integration/F20C8A9D0BB65730A8127A814A40CF41

This will work on most licensed resources, including new acquisitions that aren't listed in Tripod yet (e.g. new ebooks from Cambridge, Springer-Palgrave, Oxford).

(There's an easier option than doing this manually. See our Off-Campus Access guide to create a bookmark that will add proxy to links.)

Tripod Search Tips

Creating alerts

Tripod
ProQuest
EBSCOHost
See our r esearch guide for more

Advanced

tips

'site' - searches within specified site

'-site' - excludes specified site

'type' - searches file type

'site:{country code top level domain}' - get results with specified country domain

SEO

Overmonitized

AI - Index

Resources & Research

Curated Lists

Subject librarians can curate lists of resources such as databases and books, as well as subject headings and search terms.

Instruction for Student Assistants

If you have research assistants, they can meet with a librarian to learn where and how to search, how to access resources, and how to use tools like Zotero to organize findings.

Librarians can also provide day-to-day support for your RAs, helping them get past minor blocks more quickly.

Google Doc "Philadelphia History," with links to resources like the Philadelphia Inquirer and Vanderbilt TV News Archive

Resources & Research

Zotero

Librarians can help you get set up to use Zotero to organize your research materials, including annotating PDFs and take notes inside Zotero.
See our Zotero Research Guide.

Coming Soon

The libraries will be providing faculty, students, and staff with unlimited free storage in Zotero. Look for an announcement in the next few weeks.

Zotero Groups

With paid storage, you can setup a Zotero Group to share materials with multiple participants. This works particularly well when you have research assistants. You can ask your librarian for help setting up a group.

Further afield with the Libraries

TLC & Aydelotte tea time on publishing pedagogical materials with Roberto Vargas & Christina Bush, 3/19

Digital scholarship with Amanda Licastro

Preview of what's to come

Ask us about
- Copyright tips for working with images
- Accessible templates for creating public documents
- Research assignment design
May orientation session featuring Special Collections, support with archival research