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Search, Evaluate, Cite!

Search Evaluate Cite! Video Series: Search

Searching Tips Resources

Searching Tips

The resources listed below are additional tips and suggestions for library research.

Search Terms

Develop keyword search terms based on your topic assigned.  For example, you need to find resources on the literary device of irony used by the author Guy de Maupassant in the short story "The Necklace".  Below is an example of how to enter the keywords in the search box:

Database Help

Some of the literature databases will also have search tips.  Gale Literature Criticism has a Search Tip section describing in more detail about:

  • Boolean Operators
  • Special Characters
    • Quotation Marks
    • Wildcards

Finding Print Books in the Library

To Find a book in the library using the Library Catalog (HCC Libraries Search):

  1. You need the Call Number
  2. Check the Location (Circulation, Reference, etc.)
  3. Check the availability (available, checked out, etc.)

Here is a step-by-step document to help you find a print book in the library.  If you can't find what you need, ask for help. 

If you need a book for your research that we don't have at your campus library, you can request it. Here are instructions.