STL 100 - Library

Explore RSU Libraries Search Box

 

Finding sources in the RSU Libraries is as easy as using Google with our "Explore RSU Libraries" search box!

 

Explore RSU Libraries

Articles | Journals by Title | Books & AV Materials | e-Books | Images & Streaming Videos

 

You can use the Explore RSU Libraries search box to search all physical and electronic items, including print books, eBooks, journal articles, DVDs, CDs, and Images in a single search.

  • Note: If you prefer to search withing one single specific database, scroll down to the next section for guidance on how to get there.

To conduct your search, simply type in your search term into the search box, and click the Search button.

Once the Results list loads, you will see a mixed list of books, eBooks, articles, images, etc. for the topic you searched.

On the left side of the screen is a list of Filters or Limiters.  These are various ways that you can narrow down your search.

For example, if you know that you need scholarly or peer-reviewed sources, you can click on "Scholarly & Peer-Review" under the REFINE YOUR SEARCH section.

          Screenshot of the Refine Your Search filter section with Scholarly & Peer-Review selected

Or if you specifically want journal articles, you can click to select "Journal Article" under the CONTENT TYPE section.

          Screenshot of the Content Type filter with Journal Articles selected

Continuing down the filters on the left side of the page, if you know that you need resources that are from a specific date range (such as within the last 5 years, or something published during the 1960s, etc.) you can use the filters under the PUBLICATION DATE section.  To do this, you can either drag the dots along the date range slider bar, or use the calendar menus to select start and end dates, or use the quick links below that for "Last 12 Months," "Last 3 years," or "Last 5 years."

          Screenshot of the Publication Date filter with no date range selected

Below the publication date filters are a few more filters that can be useful.  It is not necessary to select of DISCIPLINE or a SUBJECT TERMS filter, but if you know the area of a topic that you wish to focus on, they can be useful.  Also note that if you do not limit your search results to include only English language items, the Explore search may retrieve sources in other languages.

           Screenshot of the Discipline, Subject Term, and Language filters with no options selected

Now that you've run your search and applied some filters, you can browse the results list and see if there is a result that looks promising for your research needs.  The results will look something like this:

Screencapture of a search result example, showing the title, author, publication, and brief description.

To find out more about an article, click on the "Preview" link at the bottom of the result record (as pictured above.)  This will expand addition publication information.  If you want to access this article, simply click on the article title, which will link you to the article's full record page, where you can read the article online!

 

Find and Search a Specific Database

To find a list of databases, simply click on the Articles link beneath the Explore RSU Libraries search box.  Then select whether you wish to view a list of databases in which the databases have been organized into groupings by subject, or if you would rather view the database list in A-Z alphabetical order.

In either list view, select the name of the database you wish to search, and you will be redirected to that database's search page. 

Remember, using a specific database will severely limit the number of search results produced.  If you find that you are not getting the number or type of results you expected, consider backing out to the all-encompassing Explore search box, and conducting your search there.  This will enable you to browse the results list, and check the subject terms for any relevant results in order to get new ideas for other similar search terms for your topic.

Find E-Books

eBooks can be great resources when conducting research on certain topics.  Some eBooks will even allow you to 'Search Within' meaning that if you have a specific term or topic you're looking for, you can search within the book for the term, and find out exactly which page(s) the term appears on.  This saves you time and frustration when browsing through your search results.

To access our eBook collections, simply click on the e-Books link, located under the Search RSU Libraries with Explore search box on our main library webpage.  This will take you to a list of our eBook collections.  Some eBook collections are all encompassing, covering a variety of topics across most or all subject areas (such as Ebook Central, and EBSCO eBooks,) while other collections are more focused, specializing in specific fields of research (such as ACLS Humanities eBooks, Gale Virtual Reference Library, Salem Press Reference, and Statistical Abstract of the United States.)  Be sure to take a moment and read the collection descriptions, and choose what fits your current research needs!