Using Reference Sources

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Using Reference Sources
Fleet Library _at_ RISD
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Why Use Reference Sources?

• Reference Sources
• provide an overview of a subject at the beginning
  of the research process
• identify the main artists designers associated
  with a movement or style
• place your topic in its larger cultural context
• supply definitions, specialized terminology,
  synonyms keywords
• provide biographical information on artists
• include references to artists writings,
  bibliographies, exhibition information

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• Investigate your topic by using Reference
  resources

Worldcat.org
Getty Vocabularies
Reference Books
Oxford English Dictionary
RISD Online Reference
Credo
Ask a Librarian
Oxford Art Online
RISD Library Reference blog
Library Research Guides
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• Search RISD Reference Online
• start at RISD Librarys website
  library.risd.edu
• go to Resources gt Reference

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• Search RISD Reference Online
• read the descriptions of each database
• ask a librarian or your instructor for database
  recommendations
• search multiple databases
• keep notes on your search terms, strategies and
  results

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• Search Online Reference - 24/7 from Off Campus
• start at library.risd.edu gt Reference
• select the link to a database to search
• a login window will open
• type in your first or last name
• type in the 14-digit Barcode number on the BACK
  of your RISD ID
• the number starts with 3444400
• if your login doesnt work, contact the Library
  for help, 709-5901

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• Ask a Librarian
• A librarian can
• work with you to develop search strategies for
  your topic
• recommend print online reference sources
• help you locate items within and beyond RISD
  library
• find bibliographies, primary sources, imagery
• demonstrate how to critically evaluate resources
• save you time
• Reference Desk, RISD Library, 1st floor, 709-5902
  risdlib_at_risd.edu
• library.risd.edu gt Departments gt Reference

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• RISD Library Reference Blog
• created by RISD librarians
• log of questions answers asked by students,
  faculty, visitors
• includes sources for assignments projects
• tags to related questions
• its searchable

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• RISD Library Research Guides
• risd.libguides.com
• created by RISD librarians
• resource guides listed by topic, department, or
  course
• include lists of sources and search examples

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• Search Oxford Art Online
• use for definitions, subject overviews, artist
  biographies
• related articles outline concurrent movements
  art forms
• articles include image links illustrations
• bibliographies include artists writings and
  exhibition catalogues
• completely full-text

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• Search Credo Reference
• full-text of over 640 Reference books -
  covering all subjects
• scan sidebar for related topics source
  formats
• cites articles in 4 citation styles - APA,
  Chicago, Harvard, MLA
• includes links out to other articles and the
  RISD/ATH Catalog

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Request items through Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
RISD Library requests books articles from
reciprocal lending libraries via ILL
ILL - Interlibrary loan

• ILL requests take 1- 2 weeks to arrive - plan
  ahead
• online forms gt library.risd.edu gt Services gt
  Interlibrary Loan

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• Oxford English Dictionary Online (the OED)
• definitions-meanings of the word
• pronunciation-standard pronunciation of the word
  
• spellings-includes variant forms or spelling
• etymology-the derivation of a word
• quotations-document the history of a term from
  its earliest recorded usage
• date chart-timeline of the words published usage

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• Getty Research Institute VocabulariesThese
  authoritative, controlled vocabularies are used
  to catalog, define and describe concepts,
  terminology, people and places related to the
  fine arts, decorative arts, design, art history
  and architecture.
• AAT-Art Architecture Thesaurus
• ULAN-Union List of Artist Names
• TGN-Thesaurus of Geographic Names

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• Getty Vocabulary - AAT
• AAT- the Art Architecture Thesaurus
• use to gather keyword and synonyms for search
  terms
• includes definitions, terms and related concepts
  

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• Getty Vocabulary - ULAN
• ULAN-Union List of Artist Names
• use to verify the spelling of an artists name
• lists an artists nationality and birth/death
  dates
• includes variant names, pseudonyms

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• Getty Vocabulary - TGN
• TGN-Thesaurus of Geographic Names
• associates a contemporary place name to its
  historic names
• notes describe the history, physical location of
  a place, or the importance of the place
  relative to art architecture
• includes geographic coordinates

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• Search worldcat.org
• worldcat is the world's largest network of
  library online catalogs
• search many libraries at once for an item and
  then locate it in a library nearby
• find research articles and digital items that
  can be directly viewed or downloaded
• searching worldcat is a good way to determine
  what has been published on a topic
• use RISD Librarys Interlibrary Loan Service to
  request items not available locally

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• Refine your worldcat results
• use the sidebar to refine your search by author,
  format, publication year, or subject
• Next, select an individual title to see where
  its located

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• Locate local worldcat items
• scroll down the page and type in your zip code
• this generates a geographic list of the closest
  libraries that owns the item
• ask a librarian if you need help interpreting
  worldcat holdings -
• well be happy to help you!

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