A RESOURCE YOU WON’T REGRET

If you could save hours searching for the sources relevant for your topic, and you don’t know where to start . . . 

if you don’t want to embarrass yourself by not recognizing the most recognized researcher . . . author . . publication . . . in your field . . . 

if you’re losing marks for improper text and citation formatting . . .  

if your computer is fritzed and you need a loaner . . . 

if the apps and programs your prof and classmates are using are new to you . . .

if you want to find out anything about anything and hours on Google Search and Wikipedia leave you with too few references, or with 50,000,000 references that you don’t know how to evaluate . . .

if you want to go on a scavenger hunt . . .

if you know you should be attending to managing your data . . .

if you are blocked from an essential resource . . .

where can you go?

For all of the above, and for much, much more, my number one recommendation is that you go to your library and consult with a librarian.

Over and over  a look of surprise and skepticism crosses my students’ faces when I suggest this. That’s because the stereotype for librarian is someone who shelves books. Aaaagh! A librarian is a consultant with a body of expertise about information–information in all formats–either quite broadly, or specialised in a particular field. The expertise is in knowing how information is stored, how to access it, and how to use it. They usually have at least a Master’s degree in Library Science.

And they love to provide relevant help!

If you know your librarians, you will have a team to call on that will save you hours and open doors that you didn’t know existed. You and your group will have an edge over students who rely on their own savvy in accessing information.

Try it this week. Go on the virtual library tour at your school. Browse the web. Note what webinars might be useful for you.

When you are starting your first major project this term, book an appointment with a librarian.

Then let me know if it was a waste of time!

Connect with me to start planning for your academic success before midterms: [email protected] 

The information in this blog cannot take the place of support from your own mental health professional or community health resources. Reach out to them. And IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS PLEASE DIAL 911.