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*The Research Process: A Guide for GWC Students

Use library resources to locate and evaluate information for your class assignments.

Books in the GWC Library

GWC Library Catalog

Books and other materials located in the Golden West College Library can be found in the 'Library Catalog.' 

Find books on your topic. Use the keywords from your topic. If those don't work, think of their synonyms or try to think of a broader topic. Don't give up! Ask a librarian if you need help.

Books you can check out and take home:

  • "General Collection" books are located on the 3rd Floor of the library. These books can be useful for your research papers.

To check them out: Take books to the Public Services Desk on the 2nd Floor and show your GWC Student ID (your library card!).

Books that stay in the library: 

  • "Reference" books are located on the 2nd Floor of the library near the entrance. These books are great for background information on your topics.
  • "Hot Topics" books are located on the 2nd Floor in front of the Reference Desk (where the librarians are located). These books are excellent sources for argumentative essays or persuasive speeches. They have contrasting, debatable essays on a variety of social, political or cultural issues.

The GWC Library materials (books and DVDs) are organized on our shelves by:

This system of organizing ensures that materials on similar subjects are shelved together. Each item is given a subject heading that corresponds to a call number which identifies the location of the item on a shelf. 

call numbers on spines of books and in online catalog

Items are arranged on the shelves from left to right, top to bottom, according to call numbers. Call numbers are read in this format:

read an LC call number

Video: Understanding Call Numbers

Short video (2:11) explaining how to locate materials in a college library using the Library of Congress call number system.

In the library:

CQ Researcher

The CQ Researcher is located at REFERENCE H35. E35 on the 2nd Floor of the LRC in the Reference Area:

CQ Researcher is located on the 2nd Floor LRC in the Reference Area. There are 2 copies of the index at the end of the yearly volumes.

 

Hot Topics Collection

The Hot Topics collection of books are located near the Reference Desk on the 2nd Floor of the LRC in the library:

Hot Topics located in front of Reference Desk

Tip!: Use these resources to locate evidence for an argumentative essay.

Online:

Both of these resources may be found online as well. 

eBooks from the GWC Library

The GWC Library has collections of thousands of electronic books (eBooks).

Most titles are different than our print collection. They may be accessed 24/7. 

*Note: Use your Coast login to access databases from off campus.
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