You are already familiar with the library's Discovery search, which is the first search box you encounter on the library homepage. Discovery searches 80% of the library's databases, ebook collections, streaming video, and physical collections all at once. It is like Google for the library.
It is still smart to start your very first search with Discovery or Google Scholar. However, I recommend that you also try targeted searching in the collections listed here. By searching smaller collections (say, 4,000 results rather than 16,000), you bring different results to the top of your page. You will discover more. You will also avoid the pitfall of finding a physical resource that is hard to access during this period of online education. If you do find a physical book you need at any time, you can still request full-text access. See my instructions at the bottom of the page or contact me directly for assistance.
Encyclopedias and other reference works can be a great resource for narrowing your topic and selecting useful keywords. If you are considering a broad topic such as "medieval medicine," reading an encyclopedia article under that subject can lead you to more concrete research ideas. You will also pick up terminology that scholars use to discuss your topic, which will make your future searches more successful.
Search these databases to target specific collections of articles with your keywords. You will bring new results to the top of your search.
Search these ebook collections to find relevant chapters or introductions (always a good way to get familiar with a topic, and often better than an encyclopedia). Keep in mind that the ebooks available through the PUC library can sometimes be difficult to download and then read. They should, however, be very easy to use while you are online. If you run into any technological or search difficulties, just contact a librarian.
The list of ebook sources below is divided into two parts: collections accessed through the PUC library and open access collections of scholarly, peer reviewed books online.
5000 ebooks.
Includes scholarly monographs, reference works, handbooks, and professional development titles.
Open access peer reviewed books available online:
If you find an article, book, or book chapter that is not available full text, you still have free access to this material through the PUC Library. You only need to submit an Inter-library Loan (ILL) request.
Through ILL, your college library can ask any other library in the world to scan what you need. It will be delivered to your email inbox within 5 to 10 days absolutely for free. This process takes time because your PUC librarians cannot control how long it takes the other library to scan the material for you. A PDF of your article or chapter usually arrives pretty quickly, but plan ahead and leave yourself time to wait just in case.
To submit a request:
You are likely to find a physical book that you need that is not listed in the PUC Library catalog or Link+. When that happens, you can request a copy using the ILL form listed above. If you have any questions, email reference@puc.edu.