Skip to Main Content

FYE: Get To Know the Library

Library activity for New UTC Students

For sections 1-7, pair up with someone in your class to answer the questions you are assigned, (Each pair will work on ONE section only). We will go over the answers for all 7 sections as a class so be prepared to share what you found.   

For the Bonus Activity at the end, work with your partner to explore the literature of whichever subject area is most suitable for your FYE/USTU section. If you are an undecided major, you may choose any of the 3 categories that interest you. 

1. Library Hours and Access

What time does the Library open on weekday mornings?

What days of the week does the Library offer 24/5 (overnight) access for studying? (Hint: listed on the Hours page)

How do students access online Library resources from off campus? (Hint: look under the Services section for Wifi and Off Campus info)

2. Printing, Copying, Scanning

How do you pay for printing on campus?

Can you print from your own personal laptop or do you have to use a library computer? 

Where can you scan a document in the Library? 

3. Study Rooms

How long are typical study room reservations? (Hint: check the Book a Room link for info on reservation policies)

How do you access your study room at the time of your reservation?

What basic features will you find in all study rooms? 

4. Computers and Equipment

Can you save personal files on Library computers? (Hint: look under Services, scroll down to Computers and Software)

Name 3 kinds of technology you can check out from the Library.

The Information Commons (main computer lab) only has PCs available, True or False?

5. Finding Sources in the Library

Check the Library search box and find the location for the film Booksmart

Use the search box to find an article on the subject of pet therapy for anxiety. 

What do you find under the Research Guides section of the Library website? (What are the types of guides listed there and how might you use them?)

6. Writing Center Services

Where is the Writing Center located?

Name the 3 types of consultation help you can get from the WCC

All students can receive email feedback on papers within 24 hours. True or False? 

7. The Library Studio

Where is the Studio located?

How can you set up a consultation with the experts in the Studio?

You can check out a drum machine from the Studio. True or False? 

Bonus Activity: Library Research In Different Subject Areas

The Humanities includes such fields as History, Literature, Art, Music, Literature, Foreign Languages, Philosophy, and Religion. 

Research Style: Scholars in the humanities tend to focus on the interpretation of texts, the analysis of logical arguments, and the exploration of historical events. 

Formats: Much greater emphasis on books but scholarly journal articles are also important sources. Newspapers and popular magazines from the time period being researched offer primary source material for historical events. 

Research Process: Read original texts and background sources to establish a knowledge base. Locate articles and books that analyze or discuss aspects of the topic. Often research is conducted using a particular theoretical lens (for example feminist theory or deconstructionism). 

The Library: Heavy use of Quick Search to locate physical books as well as scholarly articles. 

Notable Resources: Quick Search, JSTOR Database, MLA Database, Project MUSE

 

Research Challenge:

Use the JSTOR Database to do a search on the following topic:

Theodore Roosevelt AND Yosemite National Park

Browse the results and practice viewing and downloading an article PDF that covers the topic. 

 

The Social Sciences include such fields as Education, Psychology, Social Work, Political Science and Business.  

Research Style: Scholars in the social sciences analyze and interpret human behavior using empirical (evidence-based) research methods.  

Formats: Most research in the social sciences is published in scholarly journal articles. Some books, especially manuals and testing resources. 

Research Process: Researchers in the social sciences gather data for analysis, adopt a specific theoretical model to analyze it, and review existing literature to place the newly collected data into context with what is already known. 

The Library: Heavy use of social science databases to locate scholarly articles. 

Notable Resources: Quick Search, APA PsycInfo, Education Collection, ABI/Inform. 
 

Research Challenge:

Use the APA PsycInfo Database to do a search on the following topic:

Therapy dogs AND College students

Browse the results and practice viewing and downloading an article PDF that covers the topic. 

The Sciences include such fields as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, and Health Sciences. 

Research Style: Scholars in the sciences use experimental data and evidence to test hypotheses and draw conclusions about the physical world. 

Formats: Journal articles are the primary driver of scientific research. Some field also make use of datasets. Very little use of popular sources. 

Research Process: Research in the sciences typically involves experiments designed to collect and analyze data. Prior to experimentation, scientists review the existing literature to find what other researchers have already discovered. 

The Library: Heavy use of library databases to find previous scholarly research, usually in the form of peer-reviewed articles

Notable Resources: Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed. 

 

Research Challenge:

Use the ScienceDirect Database to do a search on the following topic:

Hellbender salamander AND Tennessee

Browse the results and practice viewing and downloading an article PDF that covers the topic. 

Miss the Session?

Online Library Activity

Your professor may assign you the online version if you missed your face to face session. 

Ask a Librarian