Evaluation Criteria

Use these questions to tell whether a source is reliable (both in print and on the web)

§  Who is the author of this information?

Does the author have any sort of authority regarding the topic? Why they are presenting this information? Be aware that the author might have some sort of bias or alternative goal of misinformation.

§  When was the information published?

If the information is a book or article, check the copyright date to make sure that the information is up to date. A good website always indicates when the page was last updated. Out of date information is just as bad as information that is completely false.

§  Where was the information located?

Check the type of book, magazine, or URL. A scholarly journal or book has stricter standards than popular books or magazines. If the website is affiliated with a recognized academic institution or organization, then it will usually be more trustworthy than a personal site.

§  Is the information accurate?

Does the author(s) provide a list of where they got their information? These lists allow you to verify their research, along with providing you with additional resources pertaining to your topic

Alexander Mack Library Basics

§  Students have access to 15 laptops that can be checked out for 3 hours at a time.

§  15 additional desktops are available for student’s use

§  Printing is free, but be respectful!

§  The ground floor is designated as a “quiet floor” for students to study with less distraction

§  4 group study rooms are available; each has a flat screen TV that you can connect to your laptop

 

Glossary of Library Terms

ALEX Catalog

Alexander Mack Library’s online catalog where patrons can search through our holding of books, ebooks, CDs, and DVDs

Dewey Decimal System

Used by the library to organize its materials and create a call number for each item describing where it is in our collection

eResources

Electronic databases, periodicals, books, or other resources subscribed to by the library

General Collection

Books housed on the 1^st and 2^nd floor of the library that can be checked out from the library

Interlibrary Loan

                Free service where the library borrows materials for patrons from other libraries

Periodical Locator

                Tool which helps users find if the library has full text access to a specific journal/periodical.

Reference Collection

Section on the first floor of the library that houses encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other materials useful for background information on a topic, these materials cannot be checked out of the library

 

Help Using the library

Library’s website- http://www.bridgewater.edu/library

§  Find library hours, and access all of our electronic resources, which are also available off campus!

Library’s Blog- http://www.theunclassifiedlibrary.blogspot.com

§  Keep up to date with library events, and new resources

Library’s Wiki- http://www.alexmacklibrary.pbwiki.com

§   “How Tos” outlining how to use a number of our library resources

§  Subject resource guides for the major disciplines.

§  Video tutorials take you step by step through using our most popular resources

 

Contacting a Librarian

Reference Desk: 828-5642 or reference@bridgewater.edu

§  Help finding the information you need for a project

Circulation Desk: 828-5413 or circulation@bridgewater.edu

§  Basic questions about the library

§  Renewing or putting a hold on materials

My contact information: 828-5415 or cbiddle@bridgewater.edu

 

Library Hours

Monday-Thursday: 7:45 am-12:00am

Friday: 7:45am-5:00pm

Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm

Sunday: 1:00pm-11:00pm