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Know Your Sources

Using & Finding Books

Why Use Books:

Use books to read broad overviews and detailed discussions of your topic. You can also use books to find primary sources, which are often published together in collections.

Where Do I Find Books?

You'll use the library catalog to search for books, ebooks, articles, and more.

What if MJC Doesn't Have What I Need?

If you need materials (books, articles, recordings, videos, etc.) that you cannot find in the library catalog, use our interlibrary loan service.

Finding poetry on the web

Poetry Foundation

Use reference books to find short fiction and poetry

Short Stories for Students
Call Number: REF PN 3373 .S3844
Use the Subject/Theme index to identify stories on your topic, and then find the stories themselves using the library catalog.
Poetry for Students
Call Number: REF PN 1101 .P756
Use the Subject/Theme index to identify poems on your topic, and then find the poems themselves using the library catalog.

MLA Style

Format and Cite in MLA style
Find a sample Annotated Bibliography in MLA format and rules for citing

Search Terms

Choosing the correct search terms helps you locate the sources you need.

Examples of broad search terms to use in databases like Gale eBooks:

Homelessness
Immigration
Technology

Gale eBooks

Examples of more specific search terms to use in larger databases like Gale, EBSCO, and the library's catalog:

Homelessness studies
Immigration California
Technology benefits

Find articles in library databases

All of these resources are free for MJC students, faculty, & staff.

Search using the Key Search Words in the left hand column of this guide, or use words more specific to your topic.

If you're working from off campus, you'll need to sign in.

Gale Databases
EBSCOhost Databases
Gale In Context: Biography
Access World News

Even though these articles were published well after your time period, you can search for your time period to find subjects mentioned that you can then try to find primary sources to illustrate the point you learned about in one of these articles.

Find streaming films in library databases

Kanopy
Kanopy is a video streaming database with a broad selection of over 26,000 documentaries, feature films and training videos from thousands of producers.

Instructions for embedding Kanopy into Canvas.
Films on Demand
Use Films on Demand when you want educational video content. This streaming video collection contains unlimited, 24/7 access to thousands of videos. Teachers can embed videos in Canvas. In addition, there are mobile options for iPad and Android.

Instructions for embedding Films on Demand into Canvas.