ENGL 101: Monk, M. (Winter 2025): Home

photo: "Knitty sticks! I've started knitting again!" by Nik on Unsplash

This guide is specifically for your project about a hobby or avocation you participate in.

This guide covers:

• Reference sources and their uses;
• How to develop and use a collection of key search terms
• How to access and use a selection of databases to access:
  • newspaper, magazine, and scholarly journal articles;
  • books; and film
• How to search the "free" Web to find reliable information from specific types of Websites
• How to evaluate sources and
• How to cite your sources using MLA citation style, and how to write annotated bibliographies in MLA style.
• How to get help from the Library, and Librarians

Note this guide is incomplete at this time, and more elements will be added as you need them.

Chat with a Librarian

Have a question? Need help researching? Not sure where to find what you need? 

Use the box below to chat with a (human) librarian 24/7

Hi all! After a great chat experience with a student, I wanted to take a moment to expand on what was "great" about it, and it has nothing to do with me. Here is what the student did, that made chat work for them:

• The student set aside time - college research Librarians aren't here for quick answers; that's what the free web is for.
  • This includes making time when and where you have limited distractions. Be prepared to ignore things like texts - it's not a respectful use of our skills or time (or another waiting student's time) when you leave us hanging for 5 minutes.
• The student was prepared to do the work. College research Librarians aren't here for quick answers, we are here to guide you through a process and develop specific strategies tailored to your research topic and to your current skill level.
• The student was prepared to answer some questions about their project, and where they were in their research process. 
  • College research Librarians cannot help you without asking you some questions.
• The student was prepared to give me time to test some things out, before I gave them advice. Every research project and student are unique (which is why this job is pretty fun for us), and we need a little time to find out what works so you are set up for success when you try it on your own.

This above also applies to in-person work with us at the Research Desk in the Library! (Yes, I have had a few students take calls or text while they are asking me to help them, or get frustrated when I don't simply hand them articles!)