Student Access to Databases
As a SUNY Oswego student you have access to all of Penfield Library’s electronic resources from on or off campus. You must first activate your computer account at http://www.oswego.edu/email . This is different than your MyOswego registration account. When you activate your account you will create your own password. If you have activated your account and have forgotten your username, check the SUNY-Oswego e-mail directory. For problems with your account call the computer help desk at 312-3456 or go to Lanigan Hall Rm. 26.
When you use the library's resources from off campus you may be asked to enter this username and password. For example, when you are entering the ERIC database, you will get a form requesting this information. Enter your computer account username and password, and you will have access to all of our extensive electronic resources. How convenient!
Checking Out Library Materials
You must have a campus ID card to sign out library materials. ID office: Culkin room 504; 312-2588; hours--Mon-Thurs 8-6:30; Friday 8-4:30. Summer hours: Mon-Fri 8-4:30. If this is impossible due to your work schedule, exceptions may be made by the Circulation Desk staff. Use the library catalog to identify books, media, and other materials of interest, and be sure to check their availability. Renew your books or check your fines online through the catalog, too.
Professional Journal Articles
To identify appropriate journal articles, use the indexes listed in the online Education Research Guide. Follow the links from Penfield Library's homepage to Research Guides by Subject, then Education, and click on your choice. ERIC is an excellent starting point because of its extensive contents; Education Research Complete is recommended for its currency. You can also search them simultaneously by choosing "Education Combo" on the subject guide.
For more information on ERIC searching, see the ERIC Tutorial or Quick Guide.
Education Research Guide: This guide highlights Penfield’s major education resources and quality Internet sites in the field. It is available online through Penfield Library's homepage (choose Research Guides by Subject).
Locating the Journals: When you are not in a full-text database, there are two good ways to find articles owned by Penfield Library:
1. Quickest access is through a 360 Link icon. Look for one on the detailed page in ERIC or other indexes, and click on it to begin an article search. Then click on "article" to access the electronic full-text, or search in the Penfield Library catalog for the paper version.
OR--2. Link from the library homepage to Journals by Title. Search by journal title. "In Penfield Library" means we own that title in paper, and you will find the journal shelved alphabetically on the second floor. Connect to the catalog and check "library holdings" for the exact date you need. Other links connect to full-text databases, for electronic articles. Check the dates available against the date you need, click on the link, and then search for the specific article you need. You may request an Interlibrary Loan for any articles not owned by Penfield Library (see below).
ERIC Documents: ED accession numbers in the ERIC database indicate the item is an ERIC Document. These are available in two formats:
InterLibrary Loan (ILL): For articles Penfield Library does not own in paper or electronically.
It may be most convenient for you to obtain items on ILL through the school library where you work, or your public library. For Penfield Library, first register with ILLiad. From the homepage, choose the Interlibrary Loan link. Click on ILLiad, then "first time users" to access the registration form. Delivery may take 7-10 days, but for articles is generally much quicker. Electronic delivery of articles is now standard. Graduate student subsidy: Most loaned materials are free, and the occasional fee will be paid by Penfield Library up to $200 per academic year. Once you have registered, ILL may be requested directly from a 360 Link screen(see "locating articles" above).
APA Style Guides: Paper APA guides are available at the library. For online resources, including citation builders and guides, choose Citing Your Sources on Penfield Library's homepage.
Finding Theses in Penfield Library: Theses are located on the 3rd floor, call number range AS 36 .N7 07. Search in the online catalog: using advanced search, search for <your subject> and set the document type box for thesis.
Teaching Resource Center: A special collection of teaching and classroom materials for K-12 teachers. This collection is located on the second floor, adjacent to the juvenile and picture book collections. All materials are available for 2 week check-out.
Distance Learner Services
If your class meets off-campus or online, and you live outside the Oswego zip code area, you will want to become familiar with these services designed to meet the unique needs of our off-campus students. From the library homepage link to Support for Distance Learners for more information.
Contact the Library: Reference Desk 312-4267 refdesk@oswego.edu IM through AskALibrarian page -- or contact
Barbara Shaffer, Education Librarian 312-3557 bshaffer@oswego.edu http://www.oswego.edu/~bshaffer