The first three workshops are our basic, foundational workshops. We recommend starting with them, then signing up for the others.

InfoLit 101

Lighten your study hours by taking this workshop and upgrading your information retrieval skills. You will tour the Library’s Web site and discover why information users need to evaluate sources of information, especially Web pages. Learn about the role of libraries in society. Learn how to select and use appropriate databases and Internet resources to find up-to-date materials for your coursework. This workshop covers:

• An introduction to the Library’s Web site and a Virtual Library Tour
• Information literacy basics
• How to access CUNY’s licensed subscription databases from on-campus or off
• Library databases vs World Wide Web
• Tour of selected Resources

Surf Smart I - Using the Web for Information and Research

Did you know that the Internet and the World Wide Web are not the same thing? Do you understand how to look at a URL (WWW address) and be able to tell who sponsored or created the site? Are you tired of getting over a million hits every time you try to do a search? You will learn tips and techniques to help you make the most of what the Web has to offer, including when to avoid using it to do research. This workshop covers:

• Where and how to access the Web on campus
• Features of the MS Internet Explorer web browser
• Good starting places for research
• Searching techniques in the web environment.
• Evaluating Web documents for their usefulness and authority.
• The Web vs. Subscription Databases: when to use one or the other for your particular needs.

Keys to Database Searching

Learn simple and effective database search techniques. This workshop introduces you to transferable skills that can be used to find books or articles in any database! Learn how use how our online catalog of library holdings and tour a few key research databases. This workshop covers:

• Searching the Library's online catalog of holdings, on-campus or off and CUNY Libraries' new book delivery service called CLICS - get a book you need sent to you at your campus
• Academic Search Premier (by EbscoHost), an interdisciplinary research database for full text articles
• Basic database search techniques: keyword searching, Boolean operators "and" and "or"
• Topic development and refining research questions for best results

Googlemania: Secrets of the Web

Google is today's most popular and sophisticated search engine. Its constantly updated search tools and features are both fun and useful to explore. You may be missing out on some of the ways that Google can help you do high quality research, including easy ways to find that definition, free reference material, books or articles you long for, consumer trends, Web 2.0 collaborations and much more - unless you take this workshop. This workshop covers:

• Basic vs. Advanced searching
• Special features: definitions, vocabulary building and ready reference
• Google Images to find charts, graphs, photos and other images
• Google Books and Google Scholar for research
• Google News, Archives and Timelines

Finding Articles

Build on keyword searching skills you learned in our "Keys to Database Searching" workshop. Find full text articles in electronic databases on any subject - from the most recent political controversy or social issue, to medical research and case studies, to literary criticism on your favorite author. Do you need expert information to put into your speech? Or the "pros and cons" of the death penalty? Professional and academic articles are the basis for many assignments, and understanding citations for periodical literature is a key to finding the articles you need. This workshop covers:

• What is a database and how does it organize information for searching
• What is a record and how are they different from citations in a research paper
• Database selection for periodical literature in different academic disciplines
• Citation analysis. What's in a citation
• Using Information Responsibly- Citing Sources

Finding Primary and Visual Sources

This workshop focuses on using primary sources such as photographs, videos and art work. Do you like to look at evidence and draw your own conclusions instead of solely relying on what the “experts” have to say? Would you like to use a visual image in your research paper? How about finding videos made during the historical period you are learning about? Learn how to locate, evaluate and use primary and visual sources effectively. Find out what a primary source is, and the different formats primary sources take - such as photographs, video or film, speeches, and diaries. Find out which of our databases offer the most primary and visual sources. This workshop will teach you about:

• Primary Sources vs. Secondary Sources
• Research strategies: keyword searching, and Boolean connectors
• Databases, including American History Online, American History in Video, and Art Museum Image Gallery
• How visual resources such as photographs and images can be used in your own research
• How to evaluate a primary resource to determine its usefulness to your research topic
• How to cite and credit primary and visual sources

Plagiarism: How to Cite Using MLA - NEW!

Using MLA citation style requires having a good understanding of how to incorporate and properly acknowledge the sources you use in your paper. This workshop will teach you how you can avoid plagiarism, which is using someone else's ideas or words without citing them. It also will help you to improve your ability to paraphrase and quote sources using MLA citation style. This workshop specifically focuses on:

• Quoting and paraphrasing a source correctly, using MLA citation style
• Using parenthetical (in-text) citations in your research paper
• Creating a list of Works Cited at the end of your research paper
• Discussing how to choose quotes from your sources in order to strengthen your writing
• Learning to use online citation guides to help you hand in a better research paper.

Research Survival Skills: Plagiarism & How to Avoid It

Academic integrity includes understanding how to respectfully use the intellectual property of others. Plagiarism is using someone else's words, ideas, or creations without proper acknowledgment of the source. In today's world of digital technology and the Internet, it is important to know what the penalties for plagiarizing are, and how to avoid unintentionally committing plagiarism. In this workshop, you will learn about how to:

Quote a source correctly, using MLA and APA styles

Use parenthetical (in-text) citations in your research paper

Create a list of references (bibliography) at the end of your research paper

Understand summarizing and paraphrasing and why they should be practiced to strengthen your writing.

Use our online Plagiarism resources guide, with tutorials, online style guides for MLA, APA and other citation formats, and much more, to help you hand in a better research paper.