GED 579 / GSA 579
Homework due Sept 6                                                   NAME:________________________________

* - questions (1A, 2, 7, 10, 11) need the SMC Library (or another academic library) to answer the question.  Do these questions first while in SMC Library

 1. Use the Oxford English Dictionary to find a "historical" definition of "INFORMATION."  Use both the Web version (this is available from the computer terminals in the library @  http://www.smcvt.edu/library/resources/databases.htm#oed     and the Print version.

• *A. The Print Version is located in the oversize section of the reference area. Its title is New English Dictionary on Historical Principles. (This is the same as the OED).  You need to be logged into your SMC account to access the OED via the Web.
• B. Electronic Access is available @ http://www2.smcvt.edu/library/articles/alphabetical.htm
• C. Off- Campus access is available by clicking the link above.  You will be prompted for a username and password - Use smcollege for both username and password 
  

a. Give the quote where the word information is first mentioned from the under the OED heading for "INFORMATION."

b. Choose a word of your choice that you always wondered the "original" meaning of.   Give the word and quote when it was first used.

*2.  Use another "subject specific" dictionary (from Library Reference Section) to find a definition of ["INFORMATION." (OR a related word of your choice)].    

--Give the source (title and Call #)  you found the dictionary - (remember it must be -subject specific-  an example would be Grove's Dictionary of Biology:  Use the Library of Congress Classification Class  Chart to locate a subject area location in the Reference Area - then browse for a subject specific dictionary

--Brief Definition: 

3. Using Online Access of Contemporary Authors/Contemporary Literary Criticism to  answer the following questions:  

Find a critical review of a book by an author you are interested in.  Give the author and title of the work

- When was (your choice of author) born?  

- Where was he/she born?

- What is the ORIGINAL source of the critical review?  Give title and author of the critical review

4.  Go to http://www2.smcvt.edu/library  and Click on Interlibrary Loan.

A. What is the purpose of Interlibrary Loan?

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B. Go to http://www2.smcvt.edu/library  and Find the Archives page

What is the purpose of the Archives?

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C. Go to http://www2.smcvt.edu/library/services/collservices/collservices.htm  

What is Special Collections and how does one access this room?

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5. Go to http://www2.smcvt.edu/library  , then Click on Hours

A. What are the Library Hours on Sunday?

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B. What are the Reference Desk hours Monday thru Thursday?

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6. Using the Databases Listed by Subject  link @ http://www2.smcvt.edu/library/articles/subject.htm 

A. Give two database indexes that are specific to searching for journal articles in Finance or Education

B. Do any of these database indexes provide access to  full text journals or databases?

C. Can you access these database/indexes off- campus?

D.  Looking over the databases @ http://www2.smcvt.edu/library/articles/alphabetical.htm   give two  index databases  that provide fulltext access to

- Journal Articles?  _________________________

- Newspaper Articles? ______________________

*7. Go to the SMC Library Microforms .  Print out the front cover Time Magazine from the day/week you were born.  I'll give you dimes.

*8.  Using the New York Times Index Online, Go to the SMC Library Database page at http://www2.smcvt.edu/library/articles/alphabetical.htm and Scroll down click New York Times Historical.  Find an article on BASEBALL from the year 1920.  Print out the front page.

9.  Go to SMC Library Web catalog @ http://voyager.smcvt.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First How far back does the SMC Library carry The Burlington Free Press?

10.  An interesting book about  a major contributor to the OED (Oxford English Dictionary): The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary, was published in 1998  by Simon Winchester.
Use the Expanded Academic ASAP    -  http://search.epnet.com/login.asp?profile=ehost&defaultdb=aph   database to find a "full text" review of this book from a periodical.  Print the first page of the article and bring to class. NOTE: Password is ---- rose ---    If you have problems from home close browser and reenter from link above.  Make sure "cookies" are enabled on you browser.

*11.  Find an article on Nuclear Testing from a periodical published in 1954.  Use the Readers Guide to Periodicals (located in the library Index Room) to find the article.  Give the periodical, page number, Date, and subject  

 If you have any problems with the questions, just move on and note why there was a problem.  DO NOT spend too much time on any one question.   We are developing understanding about research methods and any problems are opportunities for learning.

We will discuss the above homework in the next class. The purpose of this assignment is for us as a class to start analyzing our search strategies and critical thinking when researching topics--whether in print or electronic format.

I welcome and encourage students to collaborate and work in teams to brainstorm research strategies and share information in this class for the coming semester.

Also, you are always welcome to email or call me for help or ask an on duty  reference librarian for guidance with your research.