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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
(click on a category to review the questions and answers below)
Tutorials --
"Are there Library Tutorials where I can get quick overviews of the resources?"
Library Help --
"How do I get Library Help?"
EWB --
"I know that I did a library tutorial in my EWB class. Is there anyway that I can access that information again for a refresher?"
Passwords --
"How do I find the Library passwords?"
"Why do we have to enter so many passwords?"
Advice --
"What's the best advice you can give me when I begin to search?"
Who Moved My Cheese? --
"Where do I find Who Moved My Cheese?"
Beginning Research --
"How do I begin my research?"
"Just exactly how much information is available to us? Is it the same as any academic library?"
"How do I cite articles, books or documents I find?"
Find Articles --
"What journal indexes or databases does WGU have available to students?"
"If I have to write a research paper, which is the best database to use to gather my research?"
"Does FirstSearch time out? I see a clock ticking on their interface."
"Why does the tutorial instruct us to use the WilsonSelectPlus database?"
"What if I do not find what I need in WilsonSelectPlus?"
"What if the article I find in one of the FirstSearch databases is not full text?"
"On the drop down database menu in FirstSearch several databases are listed. What are those for and when does one use them? What is the difference between each database?"
"What is the time frame for articles to be posted?"
"Do FirstSearch, ABI, and Safari have different purposes?"
"What is the difference between the general periodical indexes, like Infotrac or EbscoHost, available at different university libraries?"
"Where is the best place to search for articles on business?"
"What is the difference between "scholarly" journal articles vs. "popular" articles?"
"How do I find scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles as opposed to popular journal articles?"
"Why are searches not more simplified? Wouldn't one search for everything work better?"
"How do I find articles in the areas of health care and nursing?"
Find Articles / ILLiad --
"When I search some of the databases, what if I find a citation to an article I want but the full text is not available in the full text databases (Academic Search Premier, WilsonSelectPlus, ABI/Inform, etc.)? Where can I get the full text of the article? "
Find Books / Textbooks --
"Can I borrow textbooks or read them online?"
Find Books / LIBROS --
"How do I find available books in LIBROS?"
Find Books / ILLiad --
"What do I do once I find a book I want? How do I borrow books through ILLiad?"
"How are books mailed to us? How much time do we need to plan? How long can we keep the books? Are there any fees involved with lending books?"
"How do I return the books?"
"Can I extend the due date for interlibrary loan. Are there fees?
"I ordered books or articles and have yet to receive them. Who do I contact to see what is going on?"
Find Books / Best Sellers -- y
"Can I "check out" books to read just for fun--such as novels, best sellers, etc.--like I would from my local library downtown?"
Updating Resources --
"How often are resources updated?"
Ereserves --
"How come I have trouble loading the PDF files? When I click on the chapter/article link in Ereserves, nothing happens or it takes a long time, or it just partially loads."
Norton, security sytems, firewalls --
""How do I allow sites with my security system?"
Costs --
"Why does the e-library have a cost associated with it? Public libraries don't have a charge."
Web Search Engines & Site Evaluation --
"What is the difference between searching the Web through Google and using the Library databases?"
"How do I know if a Web site is a credible one?"
"What is a Search Directory?"
Chronicle of Higher Education --
"Where is the Chronicle of Higher Education indexed?"
Viruses --
"What about downloading viruses from the library?"
Copyright --
"Are there any restrictions in place regarding the download of material from the library to our computers?"
Librarianship --
"I'm just curious why you chose this career for yourself, if you ever taught in a classroom setting, and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about your work at WGU?"
Useful tips from WGU Students --
"...thinking outside the box...."
Additional Help --
"If the librarian is not available, is there anyone else that can answer my questions?"

-- Library Tutorials -- "Are there Library Tutorials where I can get quick overviews of the resources?"
Yes. There is a link to online audio/video Tutorials on the Library Home Page. There is a 3 minute overview of the Library, as well as quick demos for databases, and more. Check them out before you begin your research.
-- Library Help -- "How do I get Library Help?"
Remember that after your EWB Orientation, you can always (24/7) go to the Library page and click on the red Questions link for any help you need. This will initiate an email to the Librarian at wguclr@unm.edu, we will respond within 48 hours (more likely within 24 hours). Also, you can call (505) 277-7176. Leave a message and someone will return the call.
-- EWB -- "I know that I did a library tutorial in my EWB class. Is there anyway that I can access that information again for a refresher?"
On the WGU library homepage there is a link called "Library Tutorial for EWB." This link will allow you do redo the entire tutorial if you want! If for some reason you did not receive instructions on how to use the eLibrary in EWB, this is the place to start. For additional information, click on Guide for Doing Research and the Comprehensive Guide.
-- Passwords -- "How do I find the Library passwords?"
Passwords are available from the WGU Portal page (my.wgu.edu).
Click on the Resources tab.
Click on the Library link.
A window with the passwords will appear.

-- Passwords -- Why do we have to enter so many passwords?
Passwords are required by the vendor/company from whom we purchase the database. The databases are licensed to libraries and therefore we need to enter passwords, unless the vendor can be given a static IP address. There is a workaround to this through "proxy servers," where the passwords or IP addresses are imbedded in the system and the process becomes seamless to the user. You would then just enter one password, which would be much less cumbersome. The Library is in the process of negotiating with the administration about this. Hopefully it will be resolved in the near future.
-- Advice -- "What's the best advice you can give me when I begin to search?"
Be imaginative and innovative with the keywords you use, whether it is in WilsonSelectPlus, ABI/Inform or a Web search engine like Google. If one keyword does not retrieve enough hits, try another keyword/synonym for your topic.

-- Who Moved My Cheese? -- "Where do I find Who Moved My Cheese?
This is a textbook which should be purchased. It is not available through the Library. Often you can find used copies through the used bookstore websites on the Find Books page.

-- Beginning Research -- "How do I begin my research?"
  1. Having an initial outline first helps, so you know your direction.
  2. Then decide the main places you will look for your research.
  3. If relevant, first check out the encylopedias (specific subject ones too) to get a general idea of your topic.
  4. Then, for more background, check out books on the subject (using LIBROS or your own public library).
  5. Then, for more recent info, use a periodical index (like Academic Search Premier, WilsonSelectPlus or another full text index at your public or neighboring library).
  6. Then, if applicable, use Google (for government or educational sites)
    Evaluate the various Web sites carefully.
    Remember what you are looking for and don't get sidetracked.
  7. Use synonyms and many keywords for the best searches.
  8. As you find material, plug it into your intial outline.
    You may need to revise your outline as you go.
    Stay organized as you gather the info.
    At the end, you may have a lot, but you can then eliminate what you do not need in each section of your outline.
    I always like having too much rather than too little.
    Initial organization is the key for me!
-- Beginning Research -- "Just exactly how much information is available to us? Is it the same as any academic library?"
It is vast. It is very much a "real" university library with access to books, journal articles, reference books, electronic reserves and more. The Library page shows it all...Find Books, Find Articles, etc. Check it out and ask me again and I can be more specific. The Comprehensive Guide link on the Library page gives a comprehensive view of it all the services/resources. Check that out as well.
Here is a quick run down of the millions of books and articles.
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