Library FAQ

Assuming you have identified a topic, the next step is to determine what types of sources you need for your research.

At the earliest stages, you may want to consult encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, or other reference sources which offer brief introductions to or summaries of a topic. Wikipedia is often a good place to start, but you can also use Credo Reference, a large collection of published academic sources, or select from a list of subject specific online reference sources.

If you want to go straight to finding books, articles, video and sound recordings, images, etc., you can use Library OneSearch, a Google-like search engine that searches most (but not quite all) of Wesleyan's library resources (both online and offline materials). Or select a subject specific index or database which can offer deeper and more specific coverage of a particular topic. The Wesleyan Library Catalog is another good option, especially (but not only) for physical books, videos, etc., in our collection. Whatever search tool you use, make sure you use effective searching techniques to get the best results for your efforts.

Remember to evaluate what you find to make sure the sources are relevant and reliable, and also to properly cite what you use. 

Also remember you can ask a librarian at any point during your research for more specific and detailed assistance.

LibraryOneSearch is a Google-like search engine that searches the majority of Wesleyan's library resources (both online and offline materials).

The most effective way to use it is to start by searching a few keywords, then narrow down your search results by using the refinements on the left-hand side of the screen.

What does it search?
Library OneSearch searches a large portion (but not all) of the Wesleyan libraries' materials and subscriptions.  It searches:

Resource Name	Description	How much is included in OneSearch?
Wesleyan's library catalog	books, recordings, videos, etc. held in the Wesleyan libraries	100%
CTW's library catalog	books, recordings, videos, etc. held in the Connecticut College and Trinity College libraries	100%
WesScholar	theses and other scholarly output created by Wesleyan authors	100%
Library Subject and Research Guides	librarian-picked resources for doing research in specific subject areas	100%
Journals, newspaper articles, conference papers and much more from 140,000+ journals and other periodicals	to find out which are included, check the participating publishers and serials titles lists.	92%

See also: What search tool should I use? Library OneSearch? Library Catalog? WorldCat? Other? 

To renew your library books and other materials:

• Go to the library catalog My Account page.
• Login with your WesID and last name.
• Select the items you wish to renew and then click the "Request Renewal" button.
  

You must renew your books via online catalog before they are overdue.  After they are overdue, they can only be renewed by telephone.

Telephone renewals are accepted at (860) 685-3967 from 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday.

There is no limit to the number of times an item may be renewed, provided it is not needed by another library user. 

Our guide to creating bibliographies with EndNote (here: http://libguides.wesleyan.edu/endnote) describes:

• why you might want to use EndNote
• how to download it
• step-by-step instructions on performing specific tasks in EndNote, such as adding references, importing references, using EndNote with Microsoft Word, outputting your EndNote references in various citations styles, and much more
  

Wireless
Wireless network access is available throughout the libraries. 

Faculty, Staff, and Students - For details on accessing wireless, see the instructions from Information Technology Services.

Alumni and visitors/guests - You need to obtain a guest login first.  Ask for one at the Reference desk.  Photo ID is required.  Then, connect to the wireless instructions as described in these instructions for Guest Access from Information Technology Services.
 
Plugging in
Network jacks are located throughout Olin Library and the on the upper level of the Science Library. Library users with network ready laptops can plug them into these data jacks for access to both the Wesleyan network and the Internet.  You'll need:

• a network (ethernet) card
• an ethernet cable
• a Wesleyan login or Wesleyan Guest account

Because of technical constraints, not all the data jacks in the libraries have been activated. Those that are active are indicated by a sign either on the wall next to the jack or on the study table or desk nearest to it.

We charge overdue fines only on items on reserve and items that have been recalled by another patron.

For everything else we do not charge overdue fines.  However, after an item has been overdue for 45 days we consider it "Lost" and will bill the replacement cost of the item plus a processing fee to your student account.

For more details about our library fines and fees, read our fine and fee policy.

You can always check the status of your interlibrary loan request through your ILL account.  If you need to cancel your request before it arrives, contact the ILL office, ill@wesleyan.edu.

Physical items will be delivered to the Olin Library, Room 112 for you to pick up. Electronic items will be delivered to your ILL account, as a PDF, where you can download them.  In either case, you will be notified by email when your ILL item is available.

You can pick up your items in the ILL office 9-5 Monday through Friday.  During other times, see a Reference Librarian for assistance.

You should return your ILL materials directly to the ILL office.  Please DO NOT return them via campus mail, the library book drop, or to the Circulation Desk.

The Interlibrary Loan Department supports your research by borrowing materials which are not available in the CTW consortium libraries. Generally this service is limited to books, theses and dissertations, photocopies of articles, and microfilms. Most items can be obtained in less than two weeks. For information on how to place an ILL request, see Search and borrow from other libraries.

There is often confusion between CTW borrowing and ILL borrowing.  For a brief description of the difference, see CTW vs. ILL.

We have guides for citing your sources in various citations styles here: http://libguides.wesleyan.edu/citing

When off-campus, be sure to start from THIS page to ensure that you will be recognized as a member of the Wesleyan Community.

Current Wesleyan students, staff, and faculty can access the Library's online materials  from off campus.  You will be prompted for your Wesleyan username and password to gain access.
 
Alumni and former faculty, students, and staff are not provided access to the Library's online resources from off-campus.

We offer library carrels for undergraduate honors thesis writers.  Carrels are assigned by lottery each September. How and when to apply for a thesis carrel.

Our librarians are happy to discuss library services with you, give you a tour of our facilities, or help you with your research.

See the sidebar on the right-hand side of this page for how to contact us through online chat, phone, text message, email, or to make an appointment.

Reference services are available at the Olin, Art and Science Library as well as Scores and Recordings and Special Collections & Archives.  If you'd like to visit the Olin Reference desk in person, check our Reference Desk hours.

This guide (http://libguides.wesleyan.edu/litreview) will assist you in writing a literature review.  The guide:

• details what a literature review is
• provides examples of literature reviews
• describes how to find relevant literature to review
• provides guidelines for writing a literature review
  

It can be challenging!  We break it down for you here: Finding Materials by Call Number

 If you are a current Wesleyan student, faculty or staff member, then your Wesleyan ID is your library card.

For everyone else,  see our Get a Library Card page.

That depends on what you are looking for.

 

Library OneSearch covers most, but not quite all, of Wesleyan library’s online and physical resources, including the library catalog (and also books etc at Trinity and Conn College) and most of the indexes and databases the library subscribes to. It does not search WorldCat. (see also: What is OneSearch?)

Credo Reference is a large collection of published academic reference sources (encyclopedias, dictionaries, etc.); there is also a list of subject specific online reference sources.

The Library Catalog lists the physical and online books, audio and video recordings, journal/magazine/newspaper titles, which the library owns in its collections or subscribes to in print or online. The CTW Catalog is a combined catalog of materials at Trinity and Conn College as well as at Wesleyan.

WorldCat is a list of most books in most libraries in the United States and many libraries elsewhere, so if a book has been published and cataloged by libraries it is most likely listed in WorldCat. This includes many titles not in Wesleyan’s collection and thus not included in Library OneSearch. WorldCat does indicate whether a particular title is held by Wesleyan, Trinity, or Conn College.

So, if you are looking for a specific book (or audio/video recording or other specific known item), WorldCat is a good place to start, since it will indicate whether the book is available at Wesleyan (if so, then look in the Library Catalog to find the book’s call number location in the library and to see whether it is available or checked out), or at Trinity or Conn College (if so, then look in the CTW Catalog and place a request for Trinity or Conn’s copy). If the item is not available in CTW, WorldCat allows you to place an interlibrary loan request for it.

If you are looking for a specific article, use the Journal Locator to see whether Wesleyan has online access or a physical copy of the journal, then find the article in the journal. If the library does not subscribe to the journal, you can place an interlibrary loan request for the article.

If you are looking for information on a topic, Library OneSearch is a good place to start. Enter a few keywords to describe your topic, then you can narrow and specify the results using the facets on the left of the screen (limiting to peer reviewed sources, sources in a particular discipline, etc). Or, you can look through the Indexes & Databases to find an appropriate subject specific index of publications. 

Or, you can ask a librarian for assistance. 

If you have searched the shelf and can't find the item you are looking for, please let us know by using the library catalog to report it missing.  How to report a missing item.

Our librarians can assist you at all stages of the research process.  We will work with you to find useful reference works, online indexes, and other sources, and show you how to use these tools to find lots of relevant information quickly.  By signing up for an appointment, we can concentrate on your particular needs.

To sign up for a personal research session, please complete this form to request an appointment time.