The art of research is one of discovery, adjustment, and change! Research is not a step-by-step process, but rather a series of questions you ask and try to answer while deciding if the question and the answer you find are of value. It can be confusing, chaotic, and messy but the librarians are here to help you!
We can help you discover solutions to your research problems, aid you in making the needed adjustments to your research plans, and tell you what changes will be most beneficial to your search strategy.
In this guide, you will learn about the resources we have available to meet your needs, some strategies to improve your searches, and tips on how to evaluate what you have found. No matter where you choose to do your research, librarians are available to get you to the resources to help you reach your goals.
The library's background databases are a great place to engage your curiosity. What makes these great is that you do not have to have a question yet. Each of these databases provides ways that you can explore some pre-determined topics so that you can start to look into whatever piques your curiosity!
Biographies of influential people worldwide and from many time periods. Includes encyclopedia articles, magazine articles, and some multimedia.
Articles from encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other reference sources from all subject areas. Includes images, audio pronunciation files, maps, and data tables.
Articles from Pennsylvania and national newspapers.
The Patriot News (1986- ), Lancaster Inelligencer Journal (1995- ), Lancaster New Era (1995- ), Lancaster Sunday News (1995- ), Lebanon Daily News (09/15.2001- ), York Daily Record & Sunday News (09/16/2001- ), and the York Dispatch (09/2001- ). Does not provide cover-to-cover text of the print editions.
Topic overviews, contrasting viewpoints, articles, primary source documents, statistics, videos, and recommended websites covering specific issues.
Topic Maps can be a great way to visually explore a subject by identifying connected ideas. Credo offers an interactive topic map that allows you to click on a word or phrase to see related ideas. You can use a tool such as this to help narrow or adjust your ideas. The image below is a link that shows you what the interactive map looks like, which will allow you to see all the content they offer related to the topic! There you will find encyclopedia articles to provide background as well as links to articles in our other databases.