Library Blog - Indiana University East

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African American History – Finding free, quality resources online

african american history, free resources, good information, open access August 31, 2020 Jesse Whitton, Research, Website mdilwort

What are Open Access Resources (OARs)? These are research materials that have been made freely available to the public, allowing users online access to information that otherwise may not be available. Here we feature a curated list of Open Access Resources about African American History. The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History (AARL) was the first public library in the Southeast U.S. to offer specialized reference and archival collections dedicated to the study and research of African American culture and the history of those who are of African descent. Every Thursday, the AARL hosts a series of instructional workshops supporting the ongoing “development of foundational information and literacy and research skills, while promoting library resources and … Continued

Learning About Daily Life

good information, history, reference databases August 24, 2020 Library Resources, Matt Dilworth mdilwort

Cultures, customs, and routines have been as diverse in the past as they are today. But for a long-past civilization, there is no longer a means of direct intercultural communication to learn about it. Still, knowledge of the inner workings of a society and culture are vital to many types of researchers. Greenwood Press’s database Daily Life Through History offers a unique exploration of these questions, shedding insight on what life was like in any given era or part of the globe; not just for the elites, but also for those of more modest estate – what was it like obtaining necessities, like bread; or to what degree people were free to move about and make life choices such as … Continued

How to Master Research

good information, reference databases, Research, scholarly resources August 17, 2020 Library Resources, Library Services, Matt Dilworth, Research, Website mdilwort

You can become a research expert and the librarians at the IU East Campus Library are here to help! Doing library research may seem quite complex at first. How do you distinguish what the scholarly sources are, and where to find them? What about ‘primary’ sources? The interface of a library research database can look more complicated than you are used to. However, in order to get better information for academic work, you need better tools. You need to know where to look, how to choose the words you will search with, what syntax to use, how to exclude information you don’t want, and how to critically evaluate what you get back. The library has created a multidisciplinary guide to … Continued

Go to the sources! Primary sources at IU East

KT Lowe, primary sources August 10, 2020 Library Resources, Research mdilwort

A primary source is an original “real thing.” It could be a song written in your favorite artist’s handwriting – maybe even on the back of an envelope. Or Leonardo da Vinci’s sketch of one of his early paintings. It could even be your family’s old Bible, with the names of your ancestors written, with dates of birth, marriage and other life events. “Real things” come in a variety of forms, shapes, contexts and types. Through IU East, you have access to a number of these types of documents. Check out these highlights! African American Communities This database includes a variety of materials related to the African American experience, across multiple communities. From documentation of segregation and racist activity against … Continued

Flying near and far: Birds in your backyard and beyond

birds, environment, local information, ornithology August 3, 2020 Frances Yates, Library Resources, outreach mdilwort

Whether you want to enjoy bird activities locally or online, identity birds and their songs from around the world, or take actions to help birds, check out these ornithological opportunities. In addition to local parks and your neighborhood, the Whitewater Memorial State Park in Liberty is designated by the National Audubon Society as an “important bird area” that supports “one of the most significant assemblages of migrant and nesting avian species in eastern Indiana,” including waterfowl, a diversity of neotropical passerines, and endangered raptors. At the Hayes Arboretum in Richmond, you can use the Bird Watching Room or several different trails to see a variety of birds. Options include exploring independently, participating in a variety of nature activities, including the … Continued