Your subject-specific guide to using library resources.
In this session, you are going to explore a selection of information resources from the Library and beyond which will be useful for your studies. Working on your own or with a partner, do the Library Search activity first.
After a short feedback session, you will be asked to choose any other boxes and follow the instructions in the task. Try and work through two or more boxes and be prepared to share your feedback at the end.
Library Search is the Library's catalogue, and is your starting point for finding our books, DVDs, journals and other materials, whether print or online. It also enables you to manage your Library account.
It's not difficult to use, but there are a few simple techniques to ensure you get the best out of it.
Try the following:
Audiovisual material can be very useful when studying history, politics and society. Search the sites below to find images relating to a French Studies topic of your choice. Think about the following issues:
The range of images available (e.g. format, subject coverage)
What information is provided about the images you find? (e.g. date, provenance, location).
Could you reproduce the images you have found in an assignment if you wanted to?
Ease of searching - for example, were you able to pinpoint your search to find highly relevant images?
Explore the sites below to find documentaries or news footage relating to a French historical, social or political topic of your choice. Think about the following issues:
The range of material available
What information is provided about the videos you find? (e.g. date, provenance, location)
Could you use the footage in an assignment if you wanted to?
What are the relative advantages and disadvantages for a student when using audiovisual, rather than written sources?
Library Search is a great starting point for finding library materials for your module, but you should also get into the habit of using our Library subject guides. These are packed full of specialised resources, news and advice related to your subject area. Explore your library subject guide and see if you can do the following (hint: click on Subject Specific Resources)
You're bound to have questions at some stage when using the Library. Fortunately, there are various ways in which you can get help. Start from the Library's home page to find the following:
Explore the sites below to find newspaper articles relating to a French historical topic of your choice.
You may already use social media (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, blogs and podcasts) for your social life, but have you ever thought whether it could help with your studies? Explore the links below and see what you think....
Social media needs to be handled carefully if you're planning to use it as an information source. Visit our Fake News guide to find out more about how rapidly fake news can spread, and what you can do to be alert to it, and avoid it.