Comprehensive Guide to Library Research Tools, MLA Citation Rules, and Support Services

External Citation Tools and Bibliography Helpers

  • Database-embedded citation tools provide support when searching digital collections, but physical items checked out from a library do not possess built-in citation generators.
  • External web-based citation generators assist in creating citations manually for physical books or outside sources:
    • Bib.Me
    • Citation Machine
    • Cite This For Me
    • Easy Bib
  • External citation tools function similarly to thesis builders by requesting specific publication metadata:
    • Book title
    • Author name
    • Publisher
    • Publication date
  • While helpful for generating citations, automated tools are not completely error-free, requiring manual proofreading of bibliographies.

MLA Style and Purdue's OWL Formatting Guidelines

  • Assistance with bibliography proofreading and style compliance is available directly from librarians.
  • ProduceOwl (also referred to as Purdue's OWL) is an online writing website providing solutions for grammar and writing questions.
  • The MLA Formatting and Style Guide hosted on Purdue's OWL provides guidance for paper documentation steps.
  • General Format Specifications:
    • Provides step-by-step instructions to format papers for full MLA compliance.
    • Mandates leaving exactly one space after periods and other punctuation marks.
    • Defines requirements for font selection and font size.
    • Establishes document margin requirements.
    • Provides a visual sample of a paper's first page.
  • Works Cited Page Guidelines:
    • In MLA style, a bibliography is titled a "work cited page" (or works cited page).
    • A dedicated sample work cited page is accessible via the guide's Table of Contents.
    • Requires the implementation of a hanging indent for entries.
    • Outlines rules regarding which elements require quotation marks versus which elements must be italicized.
  • Source-Specific MLA Formatting Rules:
    • Basic Format: Outlines the foundational rules for MLA citation construction.
    • Book Citations: Offers patterns for specific book configurations:
    • Books authored by a single individual.
    • Books authored by multiple individuals, detailing how to incorporate additional names.
    • Electronic Sources: Covers online resources, providing formatting rules for:
    • Entire websites.
    • Individual pages on a website (which follow distinct rules from whole websites).
    • E-books.
    • Articles retrieved from online databases.

Southwest Writing and Research Handbook

  • The Writing and Research Handbook was created by composition instructors at Southwest specifically for composition students.
  • Features a hyperlinked table of contents for navigation.
  • Key topic areas covered in the handbook include:
    • Microsoft software fundamentals, including operational guides for Word and Teams.
    • General library navigation and resources.
    • Strategies for developing strong reading skills.
    • Systematic breakdowns of the writing process.
  • MLA Style Chapter Features:
    • Step-by-step walkthroughs for constructing in-text citations.
    • Explicit list of do's and don'ts regarding in-text citation placement and syntax.
    • Comprehensive collection of citation examples across various scenario types.

Library Discovery Tools: SOAR and CyberCat

  • SOAR is a discovery search tool that searches simultaneously across multiple library databases and the online library catalog.
  • CyberCat (also styled CyberCAT) is the library's online catalog, located as the third refining option down on the left navigation sidebar.
  • Catalog Search Capabilities:
    • A test search for the topic cybercrime in SOAR filtered specifically by CyberCAT yields 69 results.
    • Search result formats include:
    • E-books (accessible online for immediate reading).
    • Hard copy physical books (providing specific call numbers and physical library branch locations).
    • Video recordings.
  • Branch Location Filtering:
    • Example search results display physical locations such as the Maxine Smith Library.
    • Catalog results can be narrowed by specific physical branches (e.g., selecting Union Avenue).
    • Filtering the cybercrime catalog search specifically to the Union Avenue location yields 5 available books.

Library Support Services and Consultation Options

  • Service Desk Navigation:
    • Staff members at the library desk include both general staff members and professional librarians.
    • Users seeking specific research assistance should explicitly request to speak with a librarian.
  • Virtual Support Options:
    • On Demand Library Support:
    • Designed for brief, 5-minute virtual sessions.
    • Accessible during regular business hours by clicking the link to join a virtual meeting via Teams.
    • Research Coach:
    • Designed for comprehensive 15-minute one-on-one virtual or in-person research consultations.
    • Requires filling out a detailed intake form.
    • Form submission requires specific details regarding the user's research topic and specific assistance needs so librarians can prepare search terms and database recommendations in advance.
    • Delivery options for Research Coach sessions include Teams virtual meetings, in-person sessions, or telephone calls.

Additional Library Contact Methods

  • Live Chat: An interactive chat feature accessible on specific days and operational times.
  • Text Message: Direct SMS assistance available by texting the library's designated phone number.
  • Phone Support: Direct phone assistance accessible via individual branch phone numbers.
  • Learning Management System (Pause):
    • An embedded librarian is assigned to every course in Pause.
    • Accessible via the class list under the option to ask a librarian a question.
  • Email: Inquiries can be submitted directly to the official library email address.