Research Instruction at the Humanities Library
The Humanities and Social Sciences Library will launch
an ambitious new educational outreach program beginning in June 2002 in
The Celeste Bartos Education Center in the South Court building.
The curriculum will feature hands-on instruction in general research,
as well as classes in subjects representing collection strengths within
the Humanities and Social Sciences Library. Participants will receive
free instruction in research techniques and methodologies, using electronic
and traditional resources. Workshops for the public will take place
in South Court's two first-floor classrooms, equipped with individual
computer workstations, projection screens for demonstrations, and sophisticated
audio-visual systems. Support for these classes was provided by
the Altman Foundation.
All classes are free, and are limited to 15 participants. Seats are available
on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are necessary.
For further information on the Humanities and Social Sciences training
program, or to inquire about a group class, call 212.930.9284 or e-mail
training@nypl.org. Visit
the website at: www.nypl.org/humanities/southcourt
Sample Classes
Using the Library's Online Catalogs: covers essential searching
skills, as well as procedures for printing and saving citations. Resources
Used: CATNYP; LEO.
Getting Started with Your Research: An Introduction to the Humanities
and Social Sciences Library: a general orientation to the many services
available, including the online catalogs, reference services, NYPL Express,
and Special Collections access. Resources Used: nypl.org; CATNYP; LEO.
Using Online Indexes: An Introduction to Locating Journal Articles,
Newspapers, Dissertations, and Other Published Material: offers tips
on using these valuable tools for efficient research. Resources Used:
EbscoHost; InfoTrac (full text of The New York Times); JSTOR; MLA International
Bibliography.
Researching Your Family Tree: an introduction to some of the key
resources available, including the popular online database Ancestry.com.
Resources Used: Ancestry.com; Biography and Genealogy Master Index; Ellis
Island Online.
Art Information Sources: an introduction to the many tools available
in the Visual Arts and Architecture. Classes include locating biographical
information on an artist, and finding and using catalogues raisonnés.
Resources Used: Wilson's Art Full-Text; Art Index and Art Index Retrospective;
Art Bibliographies Modern; Bibliography of the History of Art; Grove Dictionary
of Art; Index to Nineteenth Century American Art Periodicals.
Mining the Web for Digital Content: locate collections of digital
resources, and examine a few in depth, including The New York Public Library's
Digital Library, and the University of California at Berkeley's Digital
Scriptorium. Resources Used: memory.loc.gov; digital.nypl.org; sunsite.berkeley.edu/Scriptorium/
The Educated Traveler: Researching the Art, Literature, and History
of _____: an introduction to the many resources available to plan
a memorable trip to such places as Florence, Paris, and London. Resources
Used: free Internet resources.
Locating Manuscript and Archival Collections: an introduction to
resources to help locate these hard-to-find materials at libraries and
institutions around the world. Resources Used: RLIN; CATNYP; Online Finding
Aids; Print Resources.
Intellectual Property in the Humanities: examines the many aspects
of copyright, trademark, and patents, as they relate to the Humanities.
Resources Used: Library of Congress copyright website; US Patent and Trademark
Office Online.
Researching New York: discover the tools available to assist with
research on New York City. Look at collections of photographs, postcards,
and newspapers that help piece together the history of an icon. Resources
Used: InfoTrac (full text of The New York Times); CATNYP; America, History
and Life.
Biographical Research at The New York Public Library: an introduction
to the many online and print resources at the Library for biographers,
as well as a few tips for exploring materials. Resources Used: Biography
and Genealogy Master Index; Biography Index; Biography Resource Center.
Picture Research: learn to identify images from the Library's rich
image collections. The class also discusses the process of copyright and
reprint approval. Resources Used: CATNYP; Harper's Weekly; Picture
Collection at the Mid-Manhattan Library.
An Introduction to Primary Source Research: an overview of primary
and original documents, including how to identify them, special issues
relating to access and care of historical documents, and how to locate
surrogate items in microform or facsimile. Resources Used: CATNYP.
Researching Maps: The New York Public Library has one of the world's
largest public map collections. Learn to locate and read maps, as well
as distinguish among the many types of maps (antiquarian to computer,
city to continent) available for research. Resources Used: CATNYP;
websites.
South Court press release
| History and background | Programs
| Recent renovations | Little-known
facts
April 26, 2002
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