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Why can't I get to a database from off-campus?
How do I find books on my topic?
Now that I have the call number of a book, where is the book?
What does REF mean?
What is the Reference Desk and where is it?
How do I find periodical articles?
How do I find out if the Krauskopf Library has the journal I need?
How do I get journal articles that the Library does not have?
May I check out periodicals?
How do I tell if a journal is scientific?
How do I find newspapers?
How do I search for a specific newspaper or journal in Lexis-Nexis?
How do I access databases from off campus?
How do I find local or current news on the web?
How do I find financial information on a company?
Where do I pick up and pay for computer copies?
Do you have a change machine? What about copy cards?
What do I look for in evaluating a website?
Where can I do word processing?
Why won't the ERes document I want to look at display?
How Do I?
Why can't I get to a database from off-campus?
Make sure you are clicking on the "Off-Campus Link" to the database you want. The short cuts menu on the library's homepage only connects you to databases if you are on campus. You will need your student number to authenticate yourself from off campus.
How do I find books on my topic?
At the library's homepage, click on Books at DelVal. Search by keyword, author, title, journal title or series title.
What does REF mean?
When you see REF in the call number in the catalog, it means that the book is shelved in the Reference collection. These books are heavily used, so they do not circulate. The Reference collection is in the Cooke wing, to the left when you enter the library.
What is the Reference Desk, and where is it?
When you enter the library, the Reference Desk is diagonally across from the main Circulation Desk where you check out books. During Fall and Spring semesters, librarians are available to answer your questions Monday - Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
How do I find periodical articles?
Use the appropriate database/index to search for articles. Click here for a list of databases and Internet sites arranged by DelVal majors. For locating general topic articles, Infotrac is an excellent starting place as it covers many different topics and includes many full-text articles. Databases are not all the same and may use very different methods to achieve a successful search, including Boolean searching and thesauri for specific language. Be sure to read the HELP screens for best results. For further assistance see or call a librarian at 215-489-2394.
How do I find out if the Krauskopf Library has the journal I need?
Look at the Journals at DelVal list. Over 12,000 journals in both electronic and print format are available.
How do I get books or articles that the library does not own?
Send your requests to Sarah Penniman. Please provide as much information as possible, including author, article or book title, title of journal, date and where you found the citation. Or, stop by the library and fill out an interlibrary loan form.
May I check periodicals out of the library?
No, periodicals are too heavily used to be removed from the building. Many are available electronically in our databases. Copiers are located across from the circulation desk and in the Reference Room. Copy cards are also available at the Circulation Desk. Scanners are available if you need to make copies of a photograph or other graphical information for a special topic such as Senior Seminar.
How do I tell if a journal is scientific?
Many times your professor will tell you to only use periodical resources that are scientific, scholarly or peer-reviewed. Scientific journals focus on original research reported by the actual researchers who conducted the experiments. The materials published in this type of journal have been examined by specialists in the particular discipline, before publication, to maintain a high level of quality and accuracy. Scientific articles follow a standard format including an abstract, methods, analysis, discussion and an extensive list of references. For more information about different types of journals, periodicals and magazines, see the library handout Scientific vs. Non-Scientific.
How do I find newspapers?
First check the Journals at DelVal list for the newspaper in question. The full text of many newspapers, including the New York Times, is accessible from the database Lexis-Nexis. The Wall Street Journal is accessible from another database ABI/Inform. You will need a current DelVal barcode number to access DelVal databases from off campus.
How do I search for a specific newspaper or journal in Lexis-Nexis?
In Lexis-Nexis you may limit your search by individual titles. Here's how.
• At main screen, select News.
• Click on Guided News Search tab at top of screen.
• Scroll down to Step 5 "Search this Publication" and enter the name of the source you want to search.
• You must enter the title exactly as it is listed in the Lexis-Nexis source list.
• Make sure you are searching the right sources (eg. if you are looking for the New York Times, you must be in Newspapers as the source.)
How do I access databases from off campus?
You will need your current DelVal student number to access databases off campus. Click on the "Off Campus Access" link on the Databases list. Stop by the library to get a card.
How do I find local or current news on the web?
Check the Library's Reference Internet Links.
How do I find financial information on a company?
Start with Lexis-Nexis.
• Click on Business.
• Click on Company Financials. You may search by company name or SIC code.
• Choose a database in Source list, including Disclosure Reports, S & P, and Hoovers.
The Business News section, which includes journals and newspapers, is another useful source for industry trends.
•ABI/Inform is another excellent business database with full-text coverage of the Wall Street Journal and Barron's.
If you want to access these two databases from off-campus you will need your current DVC library card barcode number. Call the library for more information at (215) 489-2953.
• Another source of information is the Web itself. Many companies have their annual reports on their webpage. If you are not sure of the address of the company, search its name in Google. Companies’ addresses or URL’s are often structured as follows- http://www.companyname.com.
If this is a full-text database why can’t I get the article I want?
Some authors of articles do not release the copyright to the publisher of the journal so that the compilers of the database cannot include these articles. Also some database producers use the term "full-text" loosely; sometimes only selected full-text is available. When in doubt, read the help screens in the database for a full explanation of what is included. Lexis-Nexis oftentimes will only include part of the contents of a newspaper or journal. It also does not include any graphical information.
Do you have a change machine? What about copy cards?
A change machine/copy card dispenser is located across from the Circulation Desk. You may purchase up to $20.00 on a copy card. The initial fee is 50 cents for the copy card.
Where do I pick up and pay for computer copies?
The printers are now located behind the Circulation Desk. Please retrieve your copies and pay for them ($.03/page) at the Circulation Desk .
What do I look for in evaluating a website?
Can you answer the following questions to verify that what you are using is valid information?
• Who is the author or sponsoring agency?
• Is there a way to contact the author, such as email?
• Look at the mechanics; are links current?
• How frequently is the site updated?
• Can you always get into the site?
• Are there equivalent or better print sources?
• Is there an obvious point of view?
• Is someone trying to sell you something?
Where can I do word processing?
All library computers have Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, loaded on them. The library also has laptops for use in the library. You must provide your current DelVal ID to check one out. Laptops run off the Library's wireless network, so you can use them anywhere in the building.
Word processing/Internet access is also available in the following locations:
• Feldman Hall computer labs
• Miller Hall Writing Center (24-hour access)
• Segal Hall (lower level)
• Allman Building 2nd floor
• Commuter Lounge upstairs in Student Center
Why won't the ERes document I want to look at display?
If the file format of the document is PDF (portable document format) you must have Adobe Reader loaded on your machine for the file to display. This is a free program. Click here to download. In addition, other reader program links are available on your instructor's ERes page at the "Problems viewing pdf or other formats" link. These "reader" programs enable you to view documents created in software that you do not have loaded on your computer. Also, if you have installed the Google toolbar, you will have to turn off the popup blocker function under Options.