Library Guide: New Swarthmore Students

  How do I find textbooks and readings for my classes?

• Course Reserves, Moodle, and Interlibrary Loan can all help.
• Learn more: Textbooks for Swarthmore Students
   

 I'd like to read an article, but it's behind a paywall. (For example, an article from The Economist or The New York Times). Does Swarthmore subscribe? 

• Try this first:
  • Go to Tripod. Search for the article.
  • Click the result link.
  • In the Tripod record, look for access links under View Online.
     
• If that doesn't work, try this:
  • Go to Tripod. Click on Journal Search.
  • Search for the title of the newspaper, journal, or magazine. (not the article title).
  • In the Tripod record, look for access links.
  • Example: Journal Search for The Economist --> Tripod Record
     
• Still no luck?  Request it! 
  • Often, you'll get a PDF by email within a day.
  • Exact turnaround times vary.

 I'm starting to work on a paper. How do I find scholarly sources? Where do I start?

• Get advice and suggestions by talking with a peer Research & Info Associate (RIA) or a librarian: Hours & Contact Info
   
• Try searching Tripod for keywords related to your topic. You'll see books and articles that you can access immediately or request.
   
• Take a look at Research Guides. TriCo librarians maintain this website, which provides advice and links for finding academic research that you can cite in papers.
   

 I'd like to borrow a book (film, article, etc.), but it's not available from the library. How do I get access to it?

Books, films, music

• First, double-check Tripod — is the book available at Haverford or Bryn Mawr?
  • If so: Sign In, then click the Request link to have delivered to you at Swarthmore.
     
• If the book isn't available at all from Tripod, use EZBorrow to request the book from a nearby academic library like Temple or Drexel.
  • Usually takes ~5 business days to arrive.
     
• Not available from EZBorrow? Need a film, music, newspaper, or something else?
  • Fill out the Interlibrary Loan form online to request it.
  • Usually takes 1-2 weeks to arrive.
    

Articles (journal, magazine, news)

• Try searching Tripod for the journal title (e.g., English Historical Review) rather than the article title ("Catalog-Searching Techniques among English Nobility").
   
• If the journal/newspaper isn't in Tripod, fill out the Article Delivery form online to request a PDF.