Final answer:
To locate books on a specific topic in Concordia libraries, students should use the library's online catalog, starting with general reference works to define key terms and then moving to specialized resources. Librarian assistance in keyword refinement and access to various databases can be very helpful.
Step-by-step explanation:
To locate books in the Concordia libraries on a specific topic, a student should first consult the library's online catalog to identify books related to their topic of interest. It's helpful to start by gathering some background information and basic facts on the subject by checking general reference works such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, and periodicals. This preliminary step will assist in defining key terms that are crucial for effective catalog searches using either the Dewey Decimal System or the Library of Congress Classification.
After this initial step, the student may need to consult specialized reference works for more detailed studies or literary criticism. If the required materials are not immediately available, assistance from a librarian can be invaluable. College librarians can guide students in finding additional resources, utilizing inter-library loans, or suggesting alternative databases and article collections.
Another useful approach is to ask the librarian for help in defining appropriate keywords. Since search algorithms in online catalogs and databases rely on keywords, having a set of well-chosen search terms is critical. Moreover, visiting the library both virtually and in-person early in the research process can uncover a variety of resources that might not be found during an initial search. Utilizing the expertise of reference librarians, particularly in refining search terms for database queries, can significantly streamline the research process.