Easley Library Bookworms discussion

While research isn't the only reason that faculty and students use the resources of Easley Library, it plays a big role. The library is an excellent place to find the information you need for assignments and courses. Knowing how and where to find information is important; so I thought a thread that offers some constructive suggestions along that line might be useful.

One excellent resource to be aware of is our reference collection (in the west wing on the main floor), with its assortment of encyclopedias --not just general encyclopedias like Britannica and World Book, but many subject-specific ones. Of course, some BC faculty don't allow you to use encyclopedias. That's because they know that some students have abused them, as an ending point for research rather than a starting point. But if you're allowed to use them, they're the best place to gain a good overview of current knowledge on your topic, written and vetted by experts for accuracy. (Unlike Wikipedia, our print encyclopedias aren't written by anonymous contributors!) They also usually have suggestions for further reading at the end of each article, again chosen by experts. Next time you have a paper to write, check out what our reference section has to offer! Any of the librarians who work here are ready and willing to help you find what you need.

How many of you are familiar with Greenhaven Press' Opposing Viewpoints series? These are collections of previously published essays, articles, op-ed pieces, etc. organized into volumes that each cover a particular controversial subject. Selections are paired to illustrate and support opposite viewpoints on different aspects of the controversy. (Where there are more than just two sides, the editors make an effort to reflect this as well.) New editions on most topics come out every few years, but the older volumes aren't superseded as such; the newer ones sometimes examine different aspects of the issue, or add newer voices to the discussion, but the arguments in the older editions are often still relevant.

The publishers consciously designed the series for students. An important part of their purpose is encouraging their readers to examine viewpoints that are different from their own, to think seriously about issues and evaluate arguments and information critically, and to draw your own conclusions based on examination of all sides of an issue. If you're writing a paper about (or just researching for your own curiosity!) an issue or aspect of one that's covered here --and there aren't very many issues that aren't!-- this series is a great way to get a variety of independent and opposing viewpoints in one book. (Each article can be cited as a separate source.) For a lot of subjects, IMO, these volumes are one of the best resources the library has to offer; and I've often wished that more students (and faculty!) knew about them.