Step-by-Step: Accessing Library Materials: Getting Started

Watch a full video tutorial on how to use the library catalog to support your research.

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Open sub-content sections for linked clips and step-by-step instructions for specific aspects on using the catalog.

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Step 1: Enter your keyword/s in the Search box

Keep your keywords simple. Only use the main word/s or phrase/s of your topic (e.g. instead of searching What is the impact of social media on teenagers, just search "social media" AND teenagers).

Step 2: Choose where to search

The 'Scope' tells the algorythm which part of the catalog to search.

• The system defaults to Articles, Books, & More for resources that are immediately available from Cincinnati State & our digital partners. Simply hit "Enter" or click the magnifying glass for this default search.

• Choose OhioLINK for specific items that we don't have in our catalog. See the "Search OhioLINK" sub-section for more information.

'Scope' menu in autocomplete

'Scope' menu pulldown

Step 3: Trigger the search

Hit "Enter" or click the magnifying glass if you want the default 'scope' ~or~ click on the alternate 'scope' to activate the search.

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Step 1. Start by selecting a type of material

• Narrow the results list down to a smaller, more targeted collection of resources by choosing a material type like "Books" or "Video/Film." 

Step 2. Focus your results using the filters in the "Tweak your results" sidebar.

• Selecting "Held by library" will limit results to materials that are on the library shelves. Record the Call Number, as this tells you the item's 'address' on the shelves.

• Selecting "Available online" will show you materials with a hyperlink to immediately access the digital edition of the resource.

Step 3. Other useful options are the "Subject" and "Creation Date" filters.

• The "Subject" filter tells you about additional tags on materials in your results; selecting one or more Subjects effectively adds another keyword to your search.

• The "Creation Date" filter can help focus your results to the most recent materials.

Step 4. Review and manage your results

• Remove filters by clicking the "x" next to the options in the "Active filters" area.
• Add and remove filters until the search results fit your topic.

Note: You can change how the list is prioritized with the pull down menu next to "Sort by."

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Step 1. Choose and Save a resource

• After focusing your results list to address your topic, briefly evaluate each resource for suitability.
• When you find an item of interest, there are tools that allow you to reconnect with a resource later without interrupting your search workflow, so save anything of interest and continue your search. You will delve into the information content of selected sources when you work on your assignment.

Step 2. Create a bibliography

• Paste copied information about your sources into a document located in your cloud or an email addressed to yourself, save it somewhere that you can access at a later date.  This document will have citation information and a permanent link for each selected resource.

Step 3. Generate a citation

• Click on the quotation mark in the tools menu.
• Select style specified by the professor and "Copy to Clipboard."
• Paste the citation into a document to that you can access at a later date. 
• Be aware that the formatting will change when copy/pasting citations, so be sure to proofread and correct all computer generated citations.

Step 4. Create a permanent link

• Select the chain links to create a permalink and "Copy to Clipboard."
• Paste the link with the citation so that you know which item the link leads to.
• If you're off campus when you use the link, you may need to sign in with your CState credentials to access digital materials.

Note: If you don't remember your CState credentials (i.e. college email and password), you can find them using the Username Lookup. Don't remember your password? Reset it here. 

Watch this video on our YouTube channel.

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Step 1. Select OhioLINK

• If you are looking for specific material and cannot find it in our catalog, use the scope pulldown menu to the right of the keyword box to select "OhioLINK", then click the magnifying glass to trigger the search. This scope searches our partner library for items that they will send to us for you to borrow.

Step 2. Open the item record

• When you find the item you're searching for, click on the title to open the item record.

Step 3. In the "Get it from other locations" section of the record:

• Sign in by clicking on the yellow banner. When you do so using your CState credentials (school email and password), the "Get it..." box becomes active.

• In the box labelled "Request via OhioLINK/SearchOhio", click the "Get It" button.

• On the subsequent screen labelled  "Request Physical Version", simply click on the green "Send" text with the paper airplane. 

• You have now requested the item! 

Step 3. Wait for the item to arrive, check it out, & return it before it's due

• You will get an email indicating it is available for you to pick up from our library in Main 170
• Bring your Surge Card and stop by the Circulation Desk to check it out.
• When you're done with the item, bring it back to the desk, or to our library book drop, and we'll return it to the lender!