Library Services Overview EH 101

Summary

Michael Manasco, an instructional coordinator librarian and English subject librarian at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), gives a high-level tour of the Salmon Library website. He explains how to find books, articles, journals, and databases, as well as how to get research help and request materials.

Finding Books and Articles with Pathfinder

• The library’s Search the Library box launches Pathfinder, a discovery service that searches more than the library’s book catalog. It can also help locate articles, newspapers, magazines, and journals.
• Start with a keyword search, then use filters to narrow the results.
• For books, filters can help identify items available on the library shelves. Opening a book’s record shows details such as its call number and location.
• The Peer-Reviewed Journals option helps focus results on academic journal content. An article record may link to the database that provides it.
• Library databases are curated collections, often organized by subject, discipline, or format. Unlike general search engines, they search collections selected by the library rather than websites across the internet.
• Article tools may also offer options such as printing or citing an article.

Exploring Databases and Journals

From the website’s Articles and Databases section, you can browse databases alphabetically, search for a specific database, or browse by subject. Subject browsing can help identify relevant collections, such as resources for English or aerospace engineering.

The Journals section is useful when looking for a particular publication, such as Time, Forbes, or The Wall Street Journal. A journal listing shows which database provides access and may let you search within that database.

Getting Research Help

• The website’s live chat is generally available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Librarians can help locate articles, suggest research steps, or answer practical questions such as library hours. When chat is unavailable, visitors can use it to send an email or access FAQs.
• Subject Specialists lists librarians by subject area, along with their contact information. Manasco recommends choosing a librarian based on the topic being researched; you do not need to belong to that librarian’s college to ask for help.
• Subject Guides (LibGuides) provide help with topics and research tasks. Some are course-specific; others cover primary sources, history, plagiarism, information literacy, research formats, or contacting a librarian.
• The site also offers options to reserve study spaces, learn about library labs, and request a one-on-one research session.

Requesting Materials Through Interlibrary Loan

If an article is not available in full text, Manasco recommends using the library’s Interlibrary Loan service rather than paying to rent or buy it.

1. Open the Interlibrary Loan page from the library website.
2. Sign in with the same credentials used for Canvas, if prompted.
3. Create a new request and enter the details of the article or book.
4. Submit the request. Library staff will try to obtain the material and provide it to you. The library may not be able to get every item, but it can obtain most.

Manasco closes by encouraging students to explore the website and contact librarians for help. He also mentions a feedback survey.

Speakers and Sources Featured

• Michael Manasco — UAH instructional coordinator librarian, English subject librarian, and liaison to several campus disciplines and colleges.
• Sources and services discussed — UAH Salmon Library website, Pathfinder, library databases and journals, live chat, subject specialists, LibGuides, Interlibrary Loan, and other library services.