"Where can I find reliable information for school assignments?"
"Do you have the compulsary literature? Also digital?"
Welcome
Welcome to the media library instruction of the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. In this online instruction you will receive answers to the questions from the intro, among other things.
After following this instruction you will have sufficient knowledge of the services of the media library to find the information you need for your studies.
Rotterdam UAS has various sources of information
The most important sources within the university are:
START - START stands for STudy And Research Tool. It's the starting point for all your (desk) research. For even better results you can search the databases - search directly by subject or type of information. See also the databases section.
You get access to these sources via the library website. You can also use these sources at home or from your internship location, on the condition that you are logged on to the Rotterdam UAS network. You can also install the Library Access plugin, then you'll only have to log on once.
Library
Through the library you have access to information sources that you need for your studies. Books and magazines, but also digital materials such as e-books and journal articles.
All these sources are accessible through the library website.
You can also visit our physical locations for information and support.
START
Almost all our materials, paper and digital, through one search system: START.
Digital collection
With START you can search in many databases at once. You will find e-books, articles from (scientific) journals, literature references and statistical data.
On the advanced search screen, on the right, you can see which databases are being searched. You can also turn them on and off separately.
If you get a lot of search results you can use the filter options on the left. For example, you can limit your results to only books from the last 5 years, by checking 'eBook' and 'Last 5 years'.
Sometimes you will find references to books or articles that the library doesn't have access to. If you check 'full text' (under 'content') you will only get results that you can actually read.
If you would you still like to read a book or article that isn't available full text, you can request it via Interlibrary loan (ILL).
Print collection
START is also used to search for printed books in the library. Next to the list of search results, you can select a location. Then you will immediately see which books this location has in its possession, and whether they are available or on loan.
You can also check the filter 'Printed book' under 'type of material' (sometimes you have to click 'show more' first). If you have not selected a location, you will see whether all locations have the book.
Are you looking for a book that your school does not have? You can request to borrow it via the library website Interlibrary loan (ILL).
Borrowing, Renewals and Reservations
Borrowing in the library is done through self-service. To borrow, you need your student card.
You can also extend and return books via the self-service. You can also renew online via your START account.
More information on the physical library can be found on the library website in the section on library locations.
Databases
In databases you can do very specific searches.
The video below - with sound - explains the difference between using a search engine and searching in databases.
The library's databases
The RUAS library has access to a lot of databases. Some of these can also be searched with START, but usually the database itself has more search and filter options, allowing you to search more specifically.
By adding the Library Access extension to your browser, you have easy access to the databases of the library everywhere, even if you're not on the school network.
If you want to keep track of which databases and which search terms you have used, you can use the 'Desk research form'
Databases per study programme
As you've seen, the RUAS library has access to many databases.
Are you having difficulty choosing the right database for your information needs? Have a look at the Information sources per study program page. There you will find databases - and other sources - that are most relevant to your own course.
Many study programmes also list the availability of the compulsory literature.
Google Scholar
With Google Scholar you can search for scientific articles. In Scholar you will find links to free 'Open Access' content as well as to articles for which you have to pay.
If you use Google Scholar via the link on the library website, or if you have installed the Library Access extension, you will also find articles with a Find@Hogeschool Rotterdam link behind them. These links go to the full version of the article in one of the databases that Rotterdam UAS has access to.
Search tips
Finally, a number of tips for searching more effectively in START or in one of our databases.
You can find more information about search methods in our step-by-step guide.
Truncation
Truncating is the replacing one or more characters at the end of your search term (and in some databases - e.g. Proquest databases - also in the middle of a search term). By using truncation you can use one search term to search for plural forms or variations of your search term.
For example: manag* will give results for the words 'manage', 'managers' and 'management'.
In the example below, we searched for manag* as a word in the title.
Advanced Search
On the advanced search page you have more options to search more specifically, for example by keyword, author or (word from the) title.
You can also combine these options with 'AND', 'OR' and 'NOT', the so-called Boolean operators.
You can also indicate if you are looking for a book from a specific library location.
It's also possible to select which specific databases you want to search in.
Literature Support Consult
During the Literature Support Consult (Help on demand) you can come to the library with questions about sources. Think of literature you need for a research assignment. It may also be about sector data for your business plan or news articles.
We give you advice on the use of databases and catalogues. We are also the right place for you if you need to set up a search strategy or need tips on referencing.
Require the test and let students earn an edubadge!
Students can take a digital test in class to earn an edubadge. This test can only be organised in consultation with the library. Please contact infova@hr.nl. For more information see our website.
Conclusion
You are now finished with the online library instruction.
You have learned:
Where to find the physical library
Where to find the digital library
How and where to search the digital collection
How and where to find physical materials
Where to find how to borrow, renew and reserve
What is the added value of the media library's databases vs. Google?
That you can search more effectively in search engines or media library databases
If you're still unable to find what you need or if you're looking for more support, feel free to contact the library, ask a question in the chat, or drop by at one of our locations!
Het arrangement Rotterdam UAS Library Introduction is gemaakt met
Wikiwijs van
Kennisnet. Wikiwijs is hét onderwijsplatform waar je leermiddelen zoekt,
maakt en deelt.
Dit lesmateriaal is gepubliceerd onder de Creative Commons Naamsvermelding 4.0 Internationale licentie. Dit houdt in dat je onder de voorwaarde van naamsvermelding vrij bent om:
het werk te delen - te kopiëren, te verspreiden en door te geven via elk medium of bestandsformaat
het werk te bewerken - te remixen, te veranderen en afgeleide werken te maken
voor alle doeleinden, inclusief commerciële doeleinden.
Van dit lesmateriaal is de volgende aanvullende informatie beschikbaar:
Toelichting
After following this introduction, you will know how to make optimal use of the library facilities -online and offline- to search for literature/sources. You can find the qualitative sources that lecturers ask of you. You are aware that for the best results in your next educational research assignment, you will use the library.
Eindgebruiker
leerling/student
Moeilijkheidsgraad
gemiddeld
Studiebelasting
2 uur en 0 minuten
Gebruikte Wikiwijs Arrangementen
Team Informatievaardigheid Hogeschool Rotterdam.
(2021).
After following this introduction, you will know how to make optimal use of the library facilities -online and offline- to search for literature/sources. You can find the qualitative sources that lecturers ask of you. You are aware that for the best results in your next educational research assignment, you will use the library.
