Research Tools: Summary

ArticlesPlus-Finding Scholarship

Scholarly articles make great sources for research papers.  To use the Ohio University database for these articles, first go to the Alden homepage and click on the ArticlesPlus tab.  Type in a word or phrase you want to find articles about and press search.  On the left side of your results screen you will find the "Refine your results" option.  Check any of the boxes to filter the articles shown.  Some articles can be viewed in PDF form, which allows you to print, save, email, or do even more things with it.  For the articles that cannot be found in PDF form click the Find it button and you may be able to find it in other Alden databases or through OhioLINK.

How to Find a Book

Although the massive stacks of books in Alden library may be intimidating and confusing at first, after you learn how it will be very easy to find a book.  To find a book in the library, first find it in the online catalog.  If you don't know what book you want, then you can type in keywords for your subject.  Separating keywords with the word and will make the search engine give you better results.  Once you select a book that you want, click on it and record the book's call number.  This page will also show you which floor the book is on.  Finally you can go to the floor of the library with your book and follow the signs to the section that has your books call number.  Around your book you will most likely find other books on similar topics as the one you were looking for.  All you have left to do is go to the desk on the second or fourth floor to check out your book using your student ID.

How to get a book from OhioLINK

If you ever need to check a book out that Alden library doesn't have or that is currently being used, OhioLINK is a way to get a copy of that book quickly.  It lets students request books from other libraries around Ohio.  To use it, first look up a book using Alden library's search engine.  If it is not available, click the Search OhioLINK button on the right.  You will be taken to a screen that shows copies of the book that are available in Ohio.  Click the request button and select your school (Ohio U) on the next page.  The final page asks you to login using your Ohio ID and password and to select a pickup location (Alden).  After about three business days of completing these steps you will receive an email telling you that your book has arrived.