Library Skills Program

The Library Skills Program provides four online tutorials that provide the basics for learning to use the Trent University Library successfully. The tutorials are on webpages, with options for viewing some of the material in other formats, such as video, images, and slideshows. You choose the formats that work best to help you learn the information.

Click on to watch a talking slideshow of 1-5 minutes that covers the same material as the webpage. Some videos are also available on YouTube. Some webpages also incorporate video to demonstrate something. You'll need to have Flash on your computer in order to view some of these.

The Library Skills Program may encompass more than the online tutorials. If you're enrolled in a course or program that includes a Library Skills component, you will use these tutorials with the myLearningSystem online course. In this case, be sure to go to myTrent, login, and click on myLearningSystem to access your course. It will be a separate course, with the title of "Library Skills for..." or something similar. Your myLearningSystem course will have information about what you need to do to complete the program. There will be one or more quizzes required.

Below is a table of contents for the tutorials. The first time you come here, read them in order. After that, you can return to any topic any time to review it.

		1. Introduction to the Library Skills Program
		What is this program?
		Need it for Trent courses?
		Who can take the tutorials?
		Need some help?
		How to Use myLearningSystem for the Tests
2. TOPCAT, the Library Catalogue
		What is TOPCAT?
		Searching by Title (including Journal titles)
		Searching by Author
		Searching for a Topic
		Finding Reserve Readings
		Call Numbers and Locations
		Library Branches
		TOPCAT Records
		Advanced TOPCAT
3. Keyword Searching Techniques Watch these videos on
		What is Keyword Searching?
		Preparing a Search
		Combining Keywords Using AND and OR, Phrases
		Truncation and Wildcards
		Quick Tips
4. Finding Articles Watch these videos on
		About Journals
		Understanding and Selecting an INDEX
		Citations
		Online Journals
		Types of Online Files
		Print Journals (Hard Copy)
		Off-Campus Access
		Summary
Other Library Tutorials In addition to the basic tutorials in the Library Skills Program (above) we have some other useful tutorials.
		Reading Scholarly Articles
		Recognizing Scholarly Resources
		Reading Citations
Trent-in-Oshawa Students - Special Information
The Oshawa Campus Library has its own section of the website. Oshawa students should check here for Oshawa-specific information.
Information for Course Instructors

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Last Modified: March 28, 2012
Maintained by , Thomas J. Bata Library.