|
Think carefully
about what you need to know and how much information you need.
Identify the kind of
information you need such as:
Biographical
information
-
search
the catalogue using the person's name as a subject keyword;
- check
biographical dictionaries in the Reference collection.
top
of page
Brief
summary, facts or formulae
Dictionaries
The Library holds specific
subject dictionaries in most subject areas.
Encyclopedias
The Library also holds
a broad range of subject encyclopedias covering areas such as economics,
philosophy, art and the physical sciences. Some of these encyclopedias
focus on quite specific aspects of a subject. Many encyclopedias
have separate indexes, and may also have lists of related works
which you can check on the catalogue so you can follow up with more
detailed texts on the topic.
Handbooks and manuals
-
are guides or summaries
relating to a particular area of study, for example The
business communication handbook.
-
usually contain sections
written by experts covering the main issues, facts or formulae.
Yearbooks
The most recent editions
will be located in the Reference collection. See also
Dictionaries.
top
of page
Comprehensive
or historical coverage of a topic
Criticism
of literary works
-
check
the catalogue or search a relevant database using the author
of the work as a subject;
- find
book reviews in our indexes and digests of book reviews;
- don't
forget the dictionaries and encyclopedias of literary terms, theories
and authors.
top
of page
Information
on recent events
Newspapers
The Library holds recent
issues of several newspapers and past issues are available on microfilm
in the Morris Miller Library. For more information, go to the
guide to newspapers.
News digests
You will find news digests
in the Reference collection. See also Yearbooks
Top
of page
Recent
developments or research on a topic
Serial articles
-
serials are published
daily, weekly, monthly or even yearly. Examples of serials include
newspapers, journals of societies and scholarly organisations,
annual reports and yearbooks.
-
contain the most
current published information or research on a given topic;
Browsing through
issues of serials
will not guarantee finding relevant articles
and can be a waste of time!
Searching
databases is the quickest way of finding what you need from the
Library's serial collection. The Library frequently runs training
sessions on how to search electronic databases. Ask at the Information
Desk for details.
top
of page
Government
information
World Wide Web sites
-
Federal
and state government Web sites have a range of information on
the activities of parliaments and government agencies including
Hansard, copies of bills and regulations and press releases;
- are
a good source of information for foreign governments and international
organisations;
- statutes
can be found on databases or on government Web sites.
top
of page
Statistical
data
Australian Bureau
of Statistics (ABS)
-
a broad range of Australian social and economic statistics is
covered by ABS publications. Ask at the Information Desk
for help in finding printed publications;
- AusStats,
on the Library's Web page contains all ABS publications from 1998 onwards, as well as
Time series spreadsheets and other data.
- Ask
staff at the Client Services Desk to help locate other statistical
sources.
top
of page
See also Yearbooks.
See also Handbooks.
Specific
formats of material
The Library has a broad
range of slides, videos, maps, sound recordings, sheet music and
multimedia kits.
top
of page
|
