Cannell Library catalog, Clark College:
For this I just used the subject word as the primary search term. This brought up a book that is part of a series called "Opposing Viewpoints", a title I have had experience with for other topics, but which slipped my mind.
Censorship / Scott Barbour, book editor. Detroit : Greenhaven Press, c2010.
Subject heading: censorship
This is a circulating book
Location: Cannell Library, Second Floor
Call Number: Z657.C397 2010
This title is highly valuable because it asks the same questions of different people and shows me opposite views regarding the same topic, both in stark contrast to one another.
Summit Catalog:
Search term: Censorship
Book: Global Issues, Facts on File Series, author: Frank Caso, Publisher information: New York : Facts On File, ©2008.
Location and Call Number: WSU Holland & Terrell, Z657 .C38 2008
This title appears to be credible because it is part of a series much like the first book mentioned in this posting.
This search differed in that there were multiple college libraries to choose from, however there were no highlighted words in the description.
IT pros acted similar to most online library catalogs in that you could search and modify searches. I have used such systems for a few years and although I still prefer the old card catalog, it is very easy to navigate and refine my research. The most important key to effective searching here is "Additional Fields" section, which allows limitations on what the site searches for.
Google Books:
Let me start this one with one aggravating fact... searching for anything with more than one word here is frustrating. If I just put in censorship for the keyword, then it is fine. If, however, I want something more specific, it seems google says tough luck. They include searches that have to do with "history", "impact" and "censorship" instead of just "historical impact of censorship". Very annoying.
The book I chose for this exercise was "Censorship and selection: issues and answers for schools", Henry Reichman,copyright 2001, American Library Association.
This book is used primarily in the discussion of censorship in the US school system and I would think it most trustworthy because of the publisher. It is used as a book for school libraries and even includes its own call number.
Summary:
I have spent much of my life hanging out in libraries because it gave me a way to to escape the challenges of my youth and my adulthood. I still prefer the company of books. The search and limitations of searching does make things easier within the new system, but the old card catalog was less of a "time waster" because I never had to tell the cards to limit the search to my specific words... I just went and found what I was looking for. Often I would be pleasantly surprised with what I found in the general area of the book I was originally looking for. I learned a great deal this way. I have learned from this section that the old ways are better, less aggravating and preferable to someone like me. I am able to use what we have now, I just feel it is needlessly complicated.
All of these tools were similar in usage, construction and content with expansions at every level after the Cannell Library.
Daniel,
ReplyDeleteAll true about the difference between the card catalog and the current online catalogs. The difference, of course, is that we have access to SO much more now... when you do a research project that makes the hassle of dealing with the databases worth the trouble, in my opinion, anyway. Of course most students appreciate being able to work from home, too. But I agree that libraries are a good place to spend your time.
Keep up the good work,
Sue