GUIDE TO

BERKELEY CITY COLLEGELIBRARY

2050 Center Street, Room 131, Berkeley, CA94704

Circulation / Reserve Desk : (510) 981-2924
Librarians: Barbara Dorham (510) 981-2823

Joshua Boatright (510) 981-2991

Fred Cisin(510) 981-2964

Anne-Marie Basso

Library Hours

Fall / Spring Semesters: Mon-Thurs: 8:30-7:30, Fri.: 8:30-5:00, Sat: 10:00-2:00

Closing procedures begin 15 minutes prior to closing. All automated services including computer use and circulation are discontinued at this time.

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erkeleyCityCollege Library’s primary mission is to support outcomes-based teaching and learning by providing information resources and services that support instructional programs, information literacy, and lifelong learning. The library strives to meet the general information needs of students, staff, and community patrons by maintaining a well-balanced collection of print, non-print, and electronic resources, and assisting patrons in the effective utilization of these resources. The library also provides instruction in information literacy--how to find needed information and then how to interpret and use the information you have found.

Library InstructionBCC faculty librarians are available to instruct students, faculty, and staff on an individual or group basis regarding research methods and resources. For more information on library instruction contact the Joshua Boatright,

Group Study RoomsThere are a number of group study rooms available in the Library which accommodate two or more people. Arrangements to reserve use these rooms may be made at the library circulation desk.

INFORMATION RESOURCES The library’s collection is indexed in Peralta Colleges Online Library Catalog. This catalog along with a variety of databases and internet based research tools can be accessed via the Library’s Web page at

Peralta Colleges Library Catalog BCC Library has a shared online catalog with College of Alameda, Laney, and Merritt libraries. Library users can search the District’s comprehensive holdings via the catalog. The catalog may be searched by Author, Title, Subject or Keyword. The full record entry for an item provides the LOCATION (the college and general shelving area) and the item’s CALL NUMBER.

BCC General Collection. The library’s general collection consists of a circulating core collection of books that can be checked out of the library. With your Peralta Photo ID card with a current sticker you may check out any item from the general collection for a period of two-weeks.

BCC Reference Collection The library’s reference collection consists of books designed to answer quick questions or provide background information on a topic. These books cannot be checked out of the library. Examples of reference materials include almanacs, dictionaries and encyclopedias.

BCC Reserve Books. The library’s reserve collection consists of textbooks, periodical articles, videotapes, and other materials which faculty have placed on reserve. These materials are kept together behind the circulation desk and circulate for short periods of time only. Circulation is limited to assure access to all students who might need these materials.

BCC Periodicals The library subscribes to a small non-circulating collection of periodicals. A list of titles is available at the Circulation Desk.

BCC AudioVisualsThe library has a limited collection of videos and CDs. None of these items circulate outside the library

BCC Databases The library provides access to a number of databases selected to support academic research. The Databases provide access to a variety of resources including NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, JOURNALS, BOOKS AND REFERENCE MATERIALS. For further information on the databases and the subjects covered in the databases use the database link from the library’s home page.

COMPUTER USEThe computers in the library are reserved for academic research and limited to current students faculty, and staff of the Peralta Community College District. No word processing or CIS course-related work can be done in the Library. Users should not tamper with software or settings on library computers. Users should not download and install software from the Internet.

Printing The library charges $0.10 per page for printing. The library asks that patrons limit their printing to academic research and class assignments. The library staff reserves the right to limit a patrons printing at any time. Please ask a librarian about downloading or e-mailing results rather than printing.

Internet Access In keeping with the mission of the library, academic use of the Internet is given priority over all other uses. We request that patrons refrain from any computer use that is not directly related to class work. Chat rooms and games are not allowed.

Who May Use the Library?

Borrower Privileges

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erkeleyCityCollege Library extends borrower privileges to current students, faculty, and staff of the Peralta Community College District. Your BCC student identification card is your library card. Student ID cards, with a current enrollment sticker, can be used to check out materials from any of the four libraries in the Peralta District.

Get Your Photo ID Card!Your student ID serves as your Library card. Photo ID cards can be obtained on the fifth floor in Room #511. This card is your permanent card during your stay at BCC. We strongly encourage you to get yourself a Photo ID card; it will make things easier for you during your stay at Peralta.

How do I Checkout an Item?All circulation [checkouts and returns] takes place at the Circulation Desk. All eligible borrowers must present a Peralta Photo ID card with a current sticker.

How Long Do I Keep an Item? Different items can be checked out for varying periods of time You are responsible for returning materials on or before the due time or date.

LOAN PERIODS : General Collection2 weeks
Reserve Books2 hours to 3 days

Reference Itemslibrary use only (LUO)

Audiovisualslibrary use only (LUO)

Periodicalslibrary use only (LUO)

RenewalsYou can renew books from the general collection in person or by phone providing they are not overdue or that another person has not placed a hold on the item. Overdue items will not be renewed unless all loaned items are returned and/or all fines have been paid
Overdue FinesCheckout dates on these materials start on the day the materials are checked out. If materials from the circulating collection are overdue, the following fines are applied to each item:

Items overdue from the General Collection will accrue a $1.00 per day fine.

2-hour reserve items not returned by due time will accrue a $1.00 per hour fine. Failure to return book on the same day before closing time will also result in a $10.00 penalty fee per day.

1-day, 2-day, and 3-day reserve items not returned on time will accrue a $2.00 per day fee. Failure to return book on due date before closing time will also result in a $10.00 penalty fee per day.
Loss of Library PrivilegesIf you borrow an item and fail to return it on time, a block will be charged to your student record. Until items are returned and accrued fines are paid, you will not be allowed to borrow items from any of the Peralta libraries. Be advised that a block on your records prohibits you from obtaining your transcripts, graduating, and re-registering for future Peralta courses. The Library staff reserves the right to amend, suspend, or eliminate library privileges to individuals who habitually and consistently violate library policies.

DEVELOPING RESEARCH TOPICS

CHOOSE A SUBJECT OR AREA OF INTEREST

Examples: capital punishment or teenage pregnancy or violence in media
A guides to selecting research topics is available at the library’s website

[ From Library Webpage Guides  Guide To Selecting Research Topics]

GAIN A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF YOUR SUBJECT

Preliminary research will help you to narrow and/or refine your topic and identify search terms (concepts or keywords) of your topic.

Overview or review articles can be found in:

  • general and subject encyclopedias
  • journals and magazines
  • handbooks

REFINE YOUR SUBJECT INTO A RESEARCH QUESTION

A well-formulated research question should contain at least two main ideas or concepts. A well-written research question incorporates a relationship between concepts in the wording of the question.

Avoid starting your research question with the words Who, Where, or When.

These words tend to force your research into a limited aspect of your subject and you may be unable to come up with enough material for your project.

Example:

TOO NARROW: "Who and where are criminals sentenced to death in the United States?”

TOO BROAD: “What are the controversies surrounding the death penalty?”

APPROPRIATELY FOCUSED: "What is the effect of the death penalty on violent crime rates in the United States?"

IDENTIFY THE CONCEPTS OR KEYWORDS OF YOUR TOPIC

Search terms are words and phrases that you can use to find material on your topics. You will need a list of search terms whether you are using the Internet, a library catalog, an on-line database, or a printed index.

List subject heading and terms for you topics:

What terms will you look up? Make a list of keywords and synonyms related to your topic.

Consult these sources for ideas for keywords, and for authorized subject headings:

  • Library of Congress Subject Headings
  • Indexes of books and encyclopedias
  • Subject headings listed in databases
  • Dictionaries or Thesauri

Example Search Terms –

For "What is the effect of the death penalty on violent crime rates in the United States?"

Main Subject: capital punishment

Related terms (synonyms): death penalty / death row / crime deterrent / execution

Sub Topics (and)(crime rates or efficacy or effectiveness or usefulness or crime deterrent or crime prevention) AND (united states or America)

RESEARCHING YOUR TOPIC

Once you have refined your topic, written a research question, and made a list of search terms or phrases; you are ready to collect and read information from library resources.

General Encyclopedias

For overview information

Examples: Credo Reference [available on-line]

EncyclopediaBritannica[available on-line]

Subject Encyclopedias, Almanacs, Handbooks

For more specialized information.

Examples: Encyclopedia of Sociology. Violence in America: an Encyclopedia. Encyclopedia of BioEthics. Encyclopedia of Ethics. Encyclopedia of the American Constitution, Credo Reference [available on-line].

Computer Databases: Indexes to Journals, Magazines and Newspapers

For newspaper, magazine and journal articles and current information. Examples:

  • Academic Search Premier – database of magazines and journals, with full-text of many articles
  • Expanded Academic Index – database of magazines and journals, with full-text of many articles
  • Points of View Reference Center - resource designed to assist researchers in understanding the full scope of controversial subjects.
  • Ethnic News Watch – full-text database of newspapers, magazines and journals of the ethnic, minority and native press
  • LexisNexis - - full-text access to legal and newspaper resources

Online Catalogs and Books

For print and media resources on your topic:

Peralta Community College District Library Catalog – Catalog of Library holdings for BCC, Laney, Merritt, and College of Alameda

NetLibrary– Electronic access to over 11,500 books.

Remember to keep track of the sources you use!

EVALUATING INFORMATION RESOURCES

Use the following criteria to help determine the quality and usefulness of the information you have found, whether the material is from books, articles, or the Internet.

  1. AUTHOR:Is the author knowledgeable about the topic?
  2. What are the author's credentials--institutional affiliation (where he or she works), educational background, or experience? What else has he or she published on the topic?
  3. Is the author associated with a reputable institution or organization? What are the basic values or goals of the organization or institution?
  4. For webpages: Is there a link to information about the author or sponsor? Is the sponsor of the page reputable? Look for “About us” or “Contact us” on the home page.
  1. CONTENT: Is the content reliable and complete?
  2. What is the SCOPE, theme, or purpose of the source? Read the preface, table of contents, index of the book. Read the introduction or abstract and look over the references of an article.
  3. Is the content ACCURATE? Can you verify facts by looking in other sources?
  4. What is the POINT OF VIEW? Is the information in an objective and impartial style, or is the content designed to sway opinion? Is the author’s position clearly stated?
  • Is there evidence of valid, extensive RESEARCH? Does the information appear to be valid and well-researched? Are there citations and/or bibliography. Note errors or omissions.
  1. DATE: Is the publication date appropriate for your topic?
  2. When was the source published? On Web pages, the date of the last revision is usually at the bottom of the home page, sometimes every page.
  3. Is the source current or out-of-date for your topic? Topic areas of continuing and rapid development, such as the sciences, demand more current information. On the other hand, topics in the humanities often require material that was written many years ago.
  1. SOURCE:Is the information from scholarly or popular sources?
  2. Books - Look at the publisher (university presses publish scholarly material).
  3. Articles – Is the periodical a scholarly or popular source?

Newspapers provide current information, news stories and commentaries.

Popular magazines generally provide current events overviews, written for a larger audience than scholarly journals and rarely include citations or bibliographies. Author is usually a staff writer or a journalist, name and credentials often not provided. Articles are not evaluated by experts in the field, but by editors on staff

Scholarly journals publish reports of original research. Articles are usually more structured and may include these sections: abstract, literature review, methodology, results, conclusion, bibliography. Author is often an expert or specialist in the field with credentials often provided. Articles often reviewed and critically evaluated by a board of experts in the field (refereed)

  • Electronic Source – Articles and books accessed through databases provided by an academic library are generally reliable sources.

Information found on the Internet should be evaluated more carefully

GLOSSARY OF SEARCH TERMS

Abstract: A short summary describing the main ideas of an article, book, dissertation or other work.
Boolean Operator or Boolean Logic: Boolean operators, also known as logical operators, are used to separate keywords to construct more complex searches. They help make a search more accurate. Some like AND and NOT limit a search; others like OR expand a search.
Citation: A reference to a work, such as a book or a journal article. Citations provide information necessary for locating the actual work, such as the author, title, publication year, volume, pages, etc.
Controlled vocabulary (Subject Headings): A controlled vocabulary is a set of standard terms used to describe the contents of items found in a database, and is useful for drawing together, under a single word or phrase, all the material that is available on a particular topic.
Database: A collection of information that has been systematically organized for easy access and analysis. Databases typically are computerized.
Field: Each piece of information in a record is contained in a field. For example, many records are made up of an author field, a title field, a publisher field and a date field. How fields are named and what each contains varies from database to database.
Full-text: A full-text database is a resource that provides access to the complete text of an item. In a full-text periodical resource, both the citations and the articles themselves will be available. [Often times images are excluded from the full-text.]
Index: An organized guide to the contents of an individual, or collection of, information resources, such as books, journals, etc. For example, there are indexes in the back of many books that list descriptive terms and point to their location in that book. There are also separately published indexes that describe the contents of journals, giving one enough information to locate the contents.
Keyword(s):A word found in the abstract, title, subject headings (descriptors), or text of a record in a bibliographic database which can be used as a search term.
Phrase Searching: More than one keyword, searched exactly as typed (all terms required to be in documents, in the order typed). Enclosing keywords in quotations " " forms a phrase in many databases.
Popular magazines are written by journal editors or staff writers to appeal to a broader audience and usually contain shiny, colorful graphics and advertisements. Popular magazines are publications you would find in an office waiting room, such as “Time” and “Newsweek.”
Proximity searching: This technique can be used to keep your keywords close together, but not necessarily in the same order or right next to each other. The method of entering this technique varies quite a bit in different databases. Some use the word NEAR, some ADJ (for adjacent) and in others you must specify the maximum number of words between the two keywords (e.g. welfare NEAR reform , welfare ADJ reform, welfare w/3 reform).
Scholarly journals contain specialized articles or original research written by authorities in a field. Many articles are “peer reviewed”or "refereed" for quality by experts in that field. Examples of scholarly journals are: “Journal of the American Medical Association,” “Information Management Journal,” and “Harvard International Review.”
Search Engine: Software that searches for data or records according to keywords selected by the user. Features supported and symbols used by the software, such as Boolean operators and truncation symbols and wildcards, are frequently available by selecting the "help" or "search features" function.
Subject Headings: See Controlled Vocabulary
Thesaurus: Searchable controlled vocabulary feature for subject fields in indexed databases that contains definitions, broader and narrower terms, cross-references, and notes.
Truncation Symbol or Wildcard: A truncation symbol is a mark put at the end of a word to find all variant endings of that word . To pick up records with the word computer or computing or computerized, put a truncation symbol at the point in the word where various endings can begin to occur, comput?. A wildcard is a symbol used to replace a letter in the middle of a word to account for variant spellings or forms. Wom?n can be used to search for both woman and women. Databases use various symbols for both purposes such as $, #, +, *, !, ? Some databases truncate automatically.