Get Help! Upcoming Library Workshops

Now that you’re back from spring break, you may be staring down that research paper due at the end of the semester. The library has your back with a series of workshops on different parts of the research process. Keep reading to see which one may be right for you. (You can also view all our workshops at once in our events calendar.) All workshops will take place in the Research Instruction Center (Room 11) on the library’s lower level.

Wondering why it matters if you cite your sources? Come to:

Citing Sources Workshop (presented jointly with the Writing Center)

Why do your professors spend so much time talking about citations? Does it feel like busywork? Come learn how to cite sources for any format. We’ll show you how to do it, where to find resources, and why you should care.

Have sources or a bibliography you need help with? Bring it with you!

Two sessions:

  • Monday, March 28, 2:15 to 3:15 (during activity period)
  • Tuesday, March 29 from 5:00 to 6:00

(Please RSVP to library@bentley.edu for this workshop)

Having trouble keeping track of those sources you’re supposed to cite? Victim of a second-rate citation generator? Come to:

RefWorks Workshops for Students

These workshops for students will provide an introduction to RefWorks, an online bibliographic management tool. Learn to export citations, create bibliographies, and save and organize sources for all your research papers and projects – all in one place. Have sources you’re not sure how to cite? Bring them with you and we’ll help you get them right.

Three sessions:

  • Wednesday, March 23, 12:45 to 1:45 (during activity period)
  • Thursday, April 7, 1:00 to 2:00
  • Tuesday, April 12, 11:00 to 12:00

(Please RSVP to library@bentley.edu for this workshop. We also strongly recommend that you create a RefWorks account before attending, at RefWorks’ website. This works best when you are on campus.)

Have a paper or project due soon, and need information to complete it? Drop in to:

“I Just Need 3 Sources By Tomorrow!” Drop-In Research Help

Bring whatever you are working on to a reference librarian and get immediate expert assistance in finding the information you need, whether it be articles, statistics, company information, or books. You will walk away with the source or two (or three) that you need!

Four sessions:

  • Monday, April 4, 2:00 to 3:00 (during activity period)
  • Tuesday, April 5, 5:00 to 6:00
  • Wednesday, April 6, 1:00 to 2:00 (during activity period) AND 5:00 to 6:00

(No RSVP necessary; come in anytime during the hour)

Research Guides to the Rescue!

Although we encourage you to ask us for help with your research, we realize that there are times when this isn’t an option. So, we have created a great collection of online library research guides that you can consult if a librarian is not available.

These guides are designed to help you locate the best resources for your research.  In each guide we recommend specific books, journals, library databases and web sites.  Library research guides are available for a number of popular research topics and common questions, such as:

The entire collection of library research guides is available at http://libguides.bentley.edu/.  If you’d like to suggest a topic for a library research guide please comment on this post.

“Help, I Just Need 3 Sources by Tomorrow!” Drop-in Research Help for Students

Do you have a paper or project due soon? This drop-in research help session is for you!

Bring whatever you are working on to a reference librarian and get immediate expert assistance in finding the information you need, whether it be articles, statistics, company information, or books. You will walk away with the source or two (or three) that you need! (Of course, you can always contact a Reference Librarian to get immediate help – they are here 7 days a week).

Pre-registration is NOT required!  Drop-in to the library’s Research Instruction Center (RIC), during the scheduled times (the RIC is located on the lower level in room 11). We are holding seven drop-in sessions from November 10 to December 1:

Wednesday, November 10:
3:00pm – 4:00pm

Monday, November 15:
1:00pm – 2:00pm

Tuesday, November 16:
5:00pm – 6:00pm

Wednesday, November 17:
5:00pm – 6:00pm

Monday, November 29:
2:00pm – 3:00pm

Wednesday, December 1:
1:00pm-2:00pm

5:00pm – 6:00pm

Library Instruction: Give Student Research a Boost

Last year, the library delivered 260 instruction sessions, tours, and workshops. Here’s what some faculty had to say about them:

“Students are surprised to learn how the databases improve their access to information, and this is revealed in the quality of the bibliographies they turn in.”

“Students have taken much more time and care in their research and have made better use of integrating it into their papers as a result.”

“Students have told me that they are no longer feeling intimidated about contacting a librarian for help.”

As you plan your syllabus, consider including library instruction if you require your students to do research. Library instruction covers such concepts as:

  • evaluating online information
  • developing search strategies
  • attributing sources
  • and other research- and information-related skills.

Traditionally, faculty have brought students to the library for a class period when they are beginning their research. This is just one way librarians can collaborate with faculty to help students become better researchers and users of information. Just let us know how you’d like to join forces to help your students become more information literate, by contacting Liz Galoozis, Coordinator of User Education.

To schedule a research instruction session, use our Library Instruction Request form, which now includes the option to upload an assignment and/or syllabus. (For details and policies, click on “Schedule a Research Instruction Session” on the library’s home page.)

And to learn more about library instruction and information literacy in general, visit our Information Literacy and Instruction research guide.

Reference Librarians: Your Secret Weapon

Are you working on a research paper or project? As the end of the semester looms, there’s a good chance you are. And if you want to get your work done faster and better, we have a suggestion for you: use the services of a reference librarian.  You don’t have to take our word for it – The Washington Post’s “Campus Overload” blog recently published an article on the reasons a reference librarian should be your best friend during finals season. A few of the reasons? Reference librarians are “Google experts”and “have access to information you didn’t know existed.”

To get the whole story, read the article on the Post‘s website. And visit the library’s Research Help page to see when and how the reference staff is available to help you with research.

“Help, I Just Need 3 Sources by Tomorrow!” Drop-in Research Help for Students

Do you have a paper or project due soon? This drop-in research help session is for you! Bring whatever you are working on to a reference librarian and get immediate expert assistance. You will walk away with the source or two (or three) that you need! (Of course, you can always contact a Reference Librarian to get immediate help – they are here 7 days a week).

Pre-registration is NOT required!  Drop-in to the library’s Research Instruction Center (RIC), during the scheduled times (the RIC is located on the lower level in room 11). We are holding six drop-in sessions during the week of November 16:

Monday, November 16:
2:00pm – 3:00pm
6:00pm – 7:00pm

Tuesday, November 17:
5:00pm – 6:00pm

Wednesday, November 18:
1:00pm – 2:00pm
5:00pm – 6:00pm

Thursday, November 19:
6:00pm – 7:00pm

Help Yourself! Library Research Guides Are Available Whenever & Wherever You Need Help

library research guides

Although the reference librarians encourage you to ask us for help with your research, we realize that there are times when this isn’t an option (late night, for example).   So, we have created a great collection of library research guides that you can consult if a librarian is not available.

These guides are designed to help you locate the best resources for your research.  Library research guides are available for a number of popular research topics and common questions, such as “how do a get information about a company?”, “what is a NAICS code and how do I find them?”, and “which databases should I use to get articles for my History paper?”.  In each guide we recommend specific books, journals, library databases and web sites.  The entire collection of library research guides is available at http://libguides.bentley.edu/.

This is an evolving collection – guides will continue to be added and updated.  If you’d like to suggest a topic for a library research guide please comment on this post.

Workshop: How to Find the Full-text, and Other Library Mysteries Explained

A library workshop for students, faculty and staff:

Have you ever become frustrated trying to find something at the Bentley Library – perhaps an online article, newspaper, book or DVD?  Or, have you ever walked away empty-handed, disappointed that the library didn’t have the materials that you wanted? Then this workshop is for you!  Open to all Bentley students, faculty, and staff, this workshop will focus on library essentials, including finding materials here at the Bentley Library and utilizing Interlibrary Loan to retrieve items from other libraries.

This workshop is being offered on Thursday, October 22 @ 10:00am and Wednesday, October 28 @ 1:00pm in the library’s Research Instruction Center (lower level, room 11).  Please RSVP by sending an email to library@bentley.edu.

Note to attendees: If you have specific examples of items you’d like to find (articles, journals, etc.), please bring them with you to the workshop.