Colgate University Libraries News and Events

Welcome to the Colgate University Library.  We provide a comfortable environment for study, research, collaborative work, and even coffee and relaxation.  Our mission is to assist you in getting connected to research and technology help, in your discovery of useful scholarly resources, and in the creative expression of your own ideas.     

To get started, here are my top ten survival tips.

Best wishes,

Joanne A. Schneider
University Librarian

1.  Get to know your reference librarians. 

     They offer expert advice on the best resources for your assignments and research.  Stop by the Reference Desk on the main floor of Case Library and Geyer Center for Information Technology, make an appointment for a one-on-one research consultation, or contact them by email or chat.  Budding scientists also can ask for help at the Service Desk in Cooley Science Library, McGregory Hall.

2.  Bring your laptop to the library and connect quickly to the new campus wireless network called ‘ColgateStudents.’ 

     ITS has upgraded the wireless network over the summer.  See how fast it is.  Check out http://wireless.colgate.edu to find how to best configure your laptop and, remember, calling x7111 will connect you to the ITS HelpLine. 

3.  Or, use the computers in the libraries.

     The two libraries provide you with over 140 computers for your use.  They include both PCs and Macintoshes and some have specialized software for editing audio and video or to help students with disabilities. 

4.  Read a good book.

     Or ebook.  Or enjoy a CD or DVD by simply requesting them from LASR (Library Automated Storage and Retrieval system) through the Encore online catalog. 

5.  Find a quiet place.

     Levels two and four in Case Library are ‘quiet zones’ with many study carrels and tables.  Cooley Science Library provides space that is quiet and cozy. 

6.  Keep up to speed on new assignments.

     Locate materials for your courses placed on reserve by your professors at http://library.colgate.edu/search/r.   Also, check out the Libraries’ ‘Information for Students’ web page to find information on using the library catalog, check out class and subject guides, request materials from other libraries, and get many of your questions about the library answered. 

7.  Get organized!

      The Assignment Calculator will help you create a timeline for successfully completing your work on time.  Another online resource, RefWorks, will help you build your own database of references for creating a bibliography when writing a research paper.

8.  Connect from your dorm room.

     Connect to library databases from anywhere on campus.  Find out how to connect from off campus.   

9.  Test your ‘information literacy’ skills.

        Get ahead of the crowd by using the Searchpath online tool to help you learn how to best find and critically evaluate information sources. 

10. Check out the group studies for collaborative work.

         Case-Geyer has ten group studies, some outfitted as digital viewing & listening rooms, available as on-demand reserved spaces with information available at http://exlibris.colgate.edu/about/facilities.html.   

CU librarians collaborated through ConnectNY to provide Colgate students, faculty, and staff access to CRL materials --  over four million newspapers, journals, dissertations, archives, government publications, and other traditional and digital resources for research and teaching.  All records have been loaded into the ConnectNY union catalog.  Find out about what is available to borrow or to access digitally at  exlibris.colgate.edu/help/guides/center-for-res-lib.html
 
 

 
This year's African American History Month celebrates the theme "The Quest for Black Citizenship in the Americas" recognizing the efforts of African Americans to unite a nation through equality and social justice.
 
Find information on this and other topics using the Colgate University Libraries' African American Studies Resources List available on the library web site at
 
http://cu-cel.org/library/psource/subjects/display.php?id=1
 
The Library of Congress, National Archives, and other federal agencies have compiled many resources including images and audio-video recordings available at this site
 
www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/