Looking for help with citations? We can help!

As the leaves change and the days become shorter, assignments get more and more intense for local students.  The semester is in full swing as college and high school students everywhere continue (or begin) their writing assignments.

But one little problem that has plagued students for years, and will continue to do so until the end of time, is what to do with those citations.  It seems many folks spend more time getting their citations together than actually working on their papers.  The guides for citations styles like MLA (Modern Language Association), APA (American Psychological Association), and Chicago Style are notoriously difficult to wade through.  The proliferation of electronic resources only further complicates matters.

Don't fear!  We can point you to some wonderful resources that can help clear the citation waters for you.  First, check out Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL) website.  This site breaks down each citation style in a way to make it easy to find what you need.  In-text citation and reference list rules break down books, websites, journal articles, and more.  It's really very user-friendly.

Ohio State University Libraries put together another intuitive tool for citing resources.  This site includes information on MLA, APA and Chicago Style, as well as help with The Council of Science Editors (CSE) and Turabian styles.  What I especially like about this site is that it breaks down each style guide to four basic parts: citing articles, books, electronic resources, and other resources (speeches, etc.).

Keep in mind, the many databases we offer here at the library include the citation information you need.  For example, check out the example below using an EBSCOhost database.  Simply click on "Cite" on the right-hand side of the screen after pulling up an article.  The various citation formats will appear.  However, remember that these are a great starting point but always double-check these citations.  They are not always foolproof.

Needing Consumer Health Information?

Finding quality consumer health information can be tricky.  There are terrific resources out there like WebMD, but there are at least twenty not-so reputable sites for every one of those.  Let us introduce you to the latest database being offered through the Tiffin-Seneca Public Library, Consumer Health Complete!

This easy to use database has a bit of everything.  Fact sheets on different diseases and procedures, alternative health resources, drug and herb information, and more!  Here's some more of the great information provided:

•  Browse resources like the AMA Complete Medical Encyclopedia and Mayo Clinic Family Health Book
• Full-text articles from popular and scholarly health publications
• Images and diagrams to better understand the human body and medical procedures
• Evidence-based reports on diseases and treatments

Simply go to the library's website, click on Research Help, and scroll down to the Health heading to find Consumer Health Complete.  You will need to enter either your library card number or zip code when prompted.

Check out the video below for a quick breakdown:

Attend "Health Care & You: An Informational Program on the Affordable Care Act" on Oct. 16

Tiffin-Seneca Public Library and Tiffin-Seneca United Way are partnering to host the program “Health Care and You.” The event will be Wednesday, October 16 at 6:30 pm in the Frost Kalnow Room. 
 

The program will be presented by AARP representative, Tom Joseph, and will focus on the Affordable Care Act. The program is to provide information for people who have Medicare, those who have employers who provide health insurance, small business owners, those who have long-term care or buy their own insurance and those who are uninsured. There will be information on preventative and wellness services, preventative care benefits, access to doctors, care coordination plans, tax information and will provide various links and help lines for future use.   

   

The program is free and open to the public. Registration is necessary online at http://tiffinsen.evanced.info/signup/eventcalendar.aspx, at the Circulation Desk or by calling the library at 419-447-3751. For more information, go to www.tiffinsen.lib.oh.us or to the Library’s Facebook page.

Information on how to sign up for the Affordable Health Care Act is now available at the library. The Library emphasizes that making healthcare choices requires an understanding of each person’s or family’s unique health and financial circumstances. The T-SPL staff are not trained or licensed to provide advice or to assist patrons in selecting a plan, but can provide information and direction to public resources about the Affordable Care Act that will help patrons to make their own choices.        

Check out HealthCare.Gov for more information on the Affordable Care Act.

Free Computer Tutorials and More!

Need some assistance learning popular computer software?  Check out our free computer class offerings here at the Tiffin-Seneca Public Library.  Such classes as Beginning Computers, Word, Excel, Searching the Internet, Job Searching, and Facebook are just a few of the classes we teach.  Check our calendar of events for classes, dates and times.

We do realize that, due to time constraints, you may not be able to attend one of our classes.  While we would love to see you, there are other resources available 24/7.  One such resource is offered by the wonderful folks at the Goodwill Community Foundation, GCFLearnFree!  You are in charge of what you learn and at what pace you do so.  Here are just a few tutorials offered:

Computer Basics
Internet Basics
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Access
Mouse Tutorial
Windows 8
And More!

What's even better is that many of the software tutorials include different versions of the product.   The Microsoft Word tutorials, for example, include every version from 2000 to 2013. 

GCFLearnFree does not stop at computer tutorials.  There are links to improve math and reading skills, job searching, networking, interviewing skills and more!

Check it out!

Science Reference Center

School has started and we at the Tiffin-Seneca Public Library are gearing up for those science fair questions!  It's just around the corner and we would like to do our best to help.  That's why we'll be taking a look at one of our newest online resources, Science Reference Center.  You can access this resource by going to the library's website and clicking on Research Help.  Scroll down to the Science heading and you will find Science Reference Center.

While science fair experiment information is one of the highlights of this resource, it's not the only thing that makes it amazing.  The user-friendly interface and quality information make this your go-to place to find information for scientific research.

Here are a few highlights:

Full-text view of many science reference books
Full-text scientific journal and magazine articles
Searchable scientific dictionary
Access to  hundreds of scientific experiments to try
Citation and research assistance

Check out the video below for a quick overview of Science Reference Center!

Check out Consumer Reports Online!

Consumers need to protect their investments by doing the research before buying a product.  However, sometimes we need to replace a product in a hurry.  While the library carries Consumer Reports, wouldn't it be nice to have access to it 24/7? You have that access through the Tiffin-Seneca Public Library!

Simply visit our website and click on Research Help (under the Main Menu).  That will take you to a list of our online database offerings.  Click on MasterFILE Premier.  You will be asked for either your zip code or library card number.  This will take you into the resource which is really easy to use!  Simply enter "Consumer Reports" under the Publication heading and the product you are searching for in the main search box.  That's it!  You will have full access to PDFs of the articles from Consumer Reports magazine.  That includes the buyer's guides, feature articles and, most importantly, product ratings.

Check out the video below to see MasterFILE Premier in action!

Points of View Reference Center

We are continuing to take a look at the new databases being offered through the Tiffin-Seneca Public Library by taking a look at Points of View Reference Center.  You can access POV by going to the library's website, clicking on Research Help, and then clicking on Points of View Reference Center.  You will be asked for either your zip code or library card number.

A popular early assignment early in the school year is to take a stance on a controversial topic and to defend that stance.  This resource is perfect for such an assignment, or if you are simply researching a hot controversial topic in the world today.  Either search for a specific topic you are interested in, or check out the myriad of topics under "Browse By Category".

Full-text journal and magazine articles, books, newspaper articles, and primary source documents are available.  There is also a nice basic overview of the topic throughout history.  Full citation information is given, too.

Check out the video below for more on using this amazing resource!