Matt Dilworth

Matt Dilworth

Black History Matters

Black History Matters

, Library Resources, Matt Dilworth
Black History Month is a time for both celebration and contemplation. The African American experience is one of real people and real lives, involved in every facet of the social tapestry. This month, it is good to bring that history home – to study and understand, on a personal level, some part of that intricate tapestry. Perhaps you’re a nursing student, and the story of nurse Mary Eliza Mahoney will deepen your experience. Perhaps criminal justice is your calling, and police sergeant Samuel J. Battle’s life can enrich your own. Or perhaps you’re a business student, and the experiences of entrepreneur Madame C. J. Walker will lend you inspiration. You can connect to African American history in a way that … Continued
Credit Where Credit Is Due

Credit Where Credit Is Due

, Matt Dilworth, Research
Most assignments that involve research also involve citation. Chances are, you’ve written papers that required a bibliography. This isn’t an empty exercise – this serves a very important purpose. Citation helps place your words and ideas in the continuum of academic thought – by writing, you are joining a conversation with other authors. Citing your sources makes clear who you are responding to. It also helps your own readers follow your train of thought, so they understand where and how you developed your ideas (that’s one reason why interviews or other intangibles are cited in-text but rarely in the reference list – no one who reads your paper would be able to double check something like an interview). And it … Continued
Collecting Our History

Collecting Our History

, Matt Dilworth
As part of IU’s Bicentennial efforts, every campus is collecting oral histories from their alumni, creating a large and lasting archive of what life was like for our students and what IU has meant in their lives. But since IU East’s 50th Anniversary is also approaching, we are seeking to create a more comprehensive collection of oral histories, including alumni, faculty, staff, administrators, and allies in the community. Cassidy Clouse has begun the process with staff who are also alumni, and has previously reported on her efforts in this blog. I have been given the honor of speaking to some of our older staff and supporters, in addition to IU East alumni. David Fulton I was privileged to speak with … Continued
Crunch Time

Crunch Time

, Library Resources, Matt Dilworth, Research
So we’ve reached it at last – final exams time! Possibly the most stressful time of year for a student. You might be wondering how you can complete every paper, project, and presentation on your shoulders – particularly if you haven’t started your research yet. Well, the library’s here to help you keep your sanity, and get your resources quickly and efficiently. While it would have been better to start earlier, you’ll be glad to know that there are several things you can do to make this process easier, even at the last minute. You just have to focus on the most fruitful strategies and sources. First, don’t bite off more than you can chew. If you haven’t already picked … Continued
Looking for Your MUSE?

Looking for Your MUSE?

, Library Resources, Matt Dilworth
In the study of humanities and literature, there are a lot of standout databases. MLA International Bibliography, ProQuest Language and Literature, and JSTOR are all great databases that any English or humanities student is likely to have used. But there’s one newcomer amongst them that might be particularly useful to you as final papers and projects come due this semester. The Project MUSE Humanities Collection – provided jointly by the School of Humanities and Social Science and the Library – offers hundreds of thousands of articles and ebooks in topic areas across the humanities, from Creative Writing to History to Literature. There’s a strong international focus, too. And unlike most databases, it focuses on journals published by university presses and … Continued