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By Linda Loi
The Search for Research Data: University Research Library
After five wrong turns through a forest of red brick buildings, I finally
noticed tiny inscriptions that signified the end of my destination. As I
passed the pillars of Bunch Hall, I found the minuscule sign with the words
"University Research Library" standing before a massive building.
The entrance of this library parallels with the security check stations
at the airports. When I finally got through, an entirely different journey
was waiting for me on the other side. I would have to battle the library's
computer system and overcome the labyrinth of bookshelves t fulfill my search
for government documents and maps. To my left were the computers, the check-out
stand was straight ahead and the books were all around. The only questions
that remained were, "Where do I begin, and whatever happened to the
card catalogue?"
Lost, confused and too proud to ask for help in this distant planet called
URL, I decided to tackle the computer system first. Although the screen
command said to press F1 then "Enter," I was unable to locate
the "Enter" button on the keyboard because the labels for the
keys were smeared off. Frustrated but still too proud to ask for assistance,
I walked around the information desk and grabbed the step by step guides
to search for information on the library database. I was finally able to
start up the database and locate information on income levels with the help
of this procedure guide. By searching under subjects, the Orion system narrowed
my search on incomes to the 1996 U.S. Census Data-booklet. This book was
located in the Government Document and Maps library to floor "A,"
or better known as the bottom floor of URL. This facility was a shrunken
version of URL. It even had similar security entrances, computer databases
and copy machines. Although the large range of books and documents from
the W-40s to Census reports are the special features within this library,
the more impressive features include the specialized databases, regional
3-D maps and microfilms.
Learning how to use the tools to find suitable information for research
projects is research in itself. First time researchers would agree that
their first journey through the library facilities were not all smooth.
The library can be as confusing as a final exam in a physics course and
as scary as going to your first day at a new school. Yet, with a little
bit of guidance, the journey can be as rewarding as completing a mission
for Mission Impossible.
(Linda Loi is a junior majoring in Asian American
Studies). |