Reference training

We have split the Resources units into multiple parts. In this unit, you will learn about the GIL Find catalog and other tools to find print, ebooks, and video resources. In the other units, you will learn about databases and our journals search tools.

Both of these units are simply introductions to these tools. You will learn more as you use them, but learning to use our tools effectively is definitely an area for continuous improvement. The tools evolve and there is always more to discover. We encourage you to share tips and tricks with your colleagues.

• Use GIL Find to locate items and use limiters for format, location, and date
• Access and use "My Account."
• Request books through Intercampus loan and GIL Express
• Identify the purpose and location of style guides
• Find and use e-books
• Identify several video database and how to use them
• Manager's Guide to Unit 5A

This is the first of several modules that are about searching library resources. All of these start at the library homepage. This video introduces you to the search widget. A few things have changed since this video was made, but it is still a good introduction. See if you notice the differences as you complete these modules.

GIL-Find is the name of our library catalog.  It is the best way to search for books, videos, and other items in the library. It also contains many of electronic resources, such as e-books, journals by title and streaming videos. Do not use GIL Find to locate journal articles.

Access GIL Find from the search box on the library homepage, the quick links on the library homepage, or at the URL: https://gilfind.gsu.edu

This video teaches the basics of using the GIL FInd Basic search:

Some things to keep in mind when searching GIL Find:

• The search assumes an "AND" between terms. If you choose to use Boolean operators, put them in all capital letters.
• Use quotation marks around exact phrases.
• There are dropdown menus immediately below the search box to quickly apply limiters prior to searching.
• The Advanced Search gives more options to control which fields (title, author, subject, etc) you are searching.
• To search all USG libraries, change the dropdown from Georgia State University to University System of Georgia.

Some things to keep in mind about search results:

• Use Full Access Online to limit to electronic items.
• Use "Available in the Library" to find items physically in the library. (That does not mean they are not checked out.)
• Limiters in some categories can be selected or excluded.. (For example, you could choose to exclude a particular format.)

• You can change the order of search results from relevance to date order to alphabetical.
• The URL in the search box will save the entire search. (Handy if you want to send a complex list of search results to students.)

These are a few handy things to know about a catalog record. Try a search on your own or use this record as an example.

Send To

This section includes tools for citation formatting, obtaining a permalink for the item, and emailing the record.

Availability

The "Get It' section in the catalog record shows which campuses have a particular item and the availability of the item.

In this example

• 1 copy means Newton and Alpharetta each own one copy of the book
• 1 Available means the copy at Newton is available, but
• 0 available means the copy at Alpharetta is not. 
• 0 requests means there are zero outstanding requests for each book.

Details

• Subject Headings - will link to other items with the same subject heading (other limiters will be lost)
• Summary
• Table of Contents
• ISBN (s)
• There may be additional notes, such as public performance rights for videos.

Browse Shelf

This is the virtual equivalent of walking up to the physical shelf and browsing, except it includes all the locations. If you're having trouble with search terms, this can be a convenient way to browse for related items.

Do you have a copy of Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow?

Do you have a copy of The Year 1000: When Globalization Began by Valerie Hansen?

Do you have a print book about water pollution?

Can you help me find literary criticism in print for "The Yellow Wallpaper?"

Can you help me find a book about water pollution published in the last five years?

Can you help me find an ebook or print book about resume writing for new grads?

This unit covers the essentials of the GIL Find catalog, but it does not cover some useful aspects of search strategies. Here are some additional videos and tutorials you may find helpful. 

Find a book on shelf using Library of Congress call numbers

Subject Terms vs. Keywords video (4:41)

How to Make a Search String video (6:17) choosing search terms and combining them with Boolean logic

Boolean Operators (website)

Scholarly Journals v. Popular Magazines (4:48)

Citation Help – How to find Citation information (3:21)

Citation Style Guides such as the MLA Handbook, the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, and the Chicago Manual of Style give instructions for how to format papers, including how to format references. These guides are usually located in a Ready Reference section of the library, but there may be some copies available for circulation. Familiarize yourself with the location of these guides at your library.

Guides such as the Purdue Owl and the GSU Citation Styles LibGuide are derived from these guides. They are intended to be helpful shortcuts, but they do not replace the official guides.